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96 Space Quotes & Inspirational Quotes About The Universe

To infinity and beyond.

• Lauren Margolis

Written on Jan 11, 2021

A long time ago, mankind would look up at the stars and the moon and dream of being able to make it there; imagining that heaven must be beyond the veil of Earth’s atmosphere and finding ways to create the concept of space travel.

And when man finally did make it into space, it didn’t disappoint — as the many space quotes about the beauty of seeing the planet from orbit indicate!

When man first traveled to the moon in 1969, it may have been one giant leap, but it was only a small part of our long fascination with the beauty of outer space and the amazing vastness of everything waiting for us in the cosmos.

What we know about space is still so little, and this celestial concept has served as inspiration for both nightmares and dreams — in both fiction and reality.

RELATED: 25 Travel Quotes That Will Make You Want To Pack Your Bags & Go On An Adventure

To this day, the stars, the moon, other planets, and all the mysteries of space still give hope and excitement in everything from amazing cosmic interactions — like asteroids and eclipses — and even how a planet’s alignment might impact your daily horoscope .

Here are 96 of the best space quotes that will inspire you to never stop looking up at the stars.

As these motivational quotes about space prove, the stars are a great source of beauty, imagination, and inspiration, and will continue to be as humans extend further and further into our solar system.

Space Quotes From Astronauts

1. ”when i first looked back at the earth, standing on the moon, i cried.” — alan shepard.

2. “What everyone in the astronaut corps shares in common is not gender or ethnic background, but motivation, perseverance, and desire — the desire to participate in a voyage of discovery.” — Ellen Ochoa

3. “and i suddenly realized the molecules of my body, and the molecules of the spacecraft, the molecules in the body of my partners, were prototyped and manufactured in some ancient generation of stars. and that was an overwhelming sense of oneness, of connectedness. it wasn’t ‘them and us,’ it was, 'that’s me, that’s all of it, it’s one thing.' and it was accompanied by ecstasy, a sense of … epiphany.” — edgar mitchell, 4. “at this point, i thought 'we made it,' by which i meant 'we survived.' i also was acutely aware that my childhood dream of flying into space had just come true.” — ron garan, 5. “it suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the earth. i put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet earth. i didn't feel like a giant. i felt very, very small.” — neil armstrong.

6. “I find it curious that I never heard any astronaut say that he wanted to go to the moon so he would be able to look back and see the Earth. We all wanted to see what the moon looked like close up. Yet, for most of us, the most memorable sight was not of the moon, but of our beautiful blue and white home, moving majestically around the sun, all alone and infinite black space.” — Alan Bean

7. “mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.” — neil armstrong, 8. “the earth was small, light blue, and so touchingly alone, our home that must be defended like a holy relic. the earth was absolutely round. i believe i never knew what the word round meant until i saw earth from space.” — alexei leonov, 9. “weightlessness was wonderful, and i was surprised at how natural it felt.” — ron garan, 10. “the earth reminded us of a christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. as we got farther and farther away it diminished in size. finally, it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine. that beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart." — james irwin.

11. “The stars don't look bigger, but they do look brighter." — Sally Ride

12. “suddenly, from behind the rim of the moon, in long, slow-motion moments of immense majesty, there emerges a sparkling blue and white jewel, a light, delicate sky-blue sphere laced with slowly swirling veils of white, rising gradually like a small pearl in a thick sea of black mystery. it takes more than a moment to fully realize this is earth... home." — edgar mitchell, 13. “in the van, we can see the rocket in the distance, lit up and shining, an obelisk. in reality, of course, it’s a 4.5-megaton bomb loaded with explosive fuel, which is why everyone else is driving away from it.” — chris hadfield.

14. “We are limited only by our imagination and our will to act.” — Ron Garan

15. "it's easy to sleep floating around — it's very comfortable. but you have to be careful that you don't float into somebody or something" — james irwin.

16. “I know the sky is not the limit because there are footprints on the moon — and I made some of them!” — Buzz Aldrin

17. “i think we’re going to the moon because it’s in the nature of the human being to face challenges. it’s by the nature of his deep inner soul. we’re required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream.” — neil armstrong, 18. "earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe." — ron garan, 19. "space is for everybody. it's not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts. that's our new frontier out there, and it's everybody's business to know about space." — christa mcauliffe, 20. "i must admit, maybe i am a piece of history after all." — alan shepard.

21. "Every single astronaut who has come back from space comes back determined to do more to protect it." — Richard Branson

22. “i really believe that if the political leaders of the world could see their planet from a distance of, let’s say 100,000 miles, their outlook would be fundamentally changed. the all-important border would be invisible; that noisy argument suddenly silenced.” — michael collins, 23. “my view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity.” — edgar mitchell, 24. “you’ll never know how good you are until you try. dream the impossible and then go out and make it happen. i walked on the moon. what can’t you do” — gene cernan, 25. "any astronaut can tell you you've got to do everything you can to learn about your life support system and then do everything you can to take care of it." — sylvia earle.

26. "I don't know what you could say about a day in which you have seen four beautiful sunsets." — John Glenn

27. "if offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat. just get on." — christa mcauliffe, 28. "i thought the attractions of being an astronaut were actually, not so much the moon, but flying in a completely new medium." — neil armstrong.

29. “Curiosity is the essence of our existence.” — Gene Cernan

30. "of course risk is part of spaceflight. we accept some of that to achieve greater goals in exploration and find out more about ourselves and the universe." — lisa nowak.

31. “I suppose the one quality in an astronaut more powerful than any other is curiosity. They have to get someplace nobody’s ever been.” — John Glenn

32. “gravity hurts.” — viktor alexandrov, 33. “the earth was small, light blue, and so touchingly alone, our home that must be defended like a holy relic.” — alexi leonov, 34. “you develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. from out there on the moon, international politics look so petty.” — edgar mitchell.

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Inspirational Space Quotes

35. “be humble for you are made of earth. be noble for you are made of stars." — serbian proverb, 36. “somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” — carl sagan, “37. there can be no center in infinity.” — lucretius, on the nature of the universe, 38. “the heart looks into space to be away from earth.” — richard jefferies, 39. “at night, when the sky is full of stars and the sea is still, you get the wonderful sensation that you are floating in space.” — natalie wood, 40. “that’s what it feels like when you touch me. like millions of tiny universes being born and then dying in the space between your fingers and my skin.” — iain thomas, 41. “remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. be curious. and however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. it matters that you don’t just give up.” — stephen hawking, 42. “for the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimension.” — zhuangzi, 43. “love is the one thing we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.” — interstellar, 44. “you never enjoy the world aright, ‘til the sea itself floweth in your veins, ‘til you are clothed with the heavens and crowned with the stars.” — thomas traherne, 45. “we are made of star stuff.” — carl sagan, 46. “all of time and space. everywhere and anywhere. every star that ever was. where do you want to start” — doctor who, 47. “the probability of success is difficult to estimate; but if we never search, the chance of success is zero.” — giuseppe cocconi, 48. “where we choose to seed ourselves on the spectrum of what’s possible is what will ultimately define the size of our lives.” — mary-jo dionne, 49. “not just beautiful, though — the stars are like the trees in the forest, alive and breathing. and they’re watching me.” — haruki murakami, 50. “in all our searching, the only thing we’ve found that makes the emptiness bearable is each other.” — carl sagan, 51. "look up at the stars and not down at your feet. try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. be curious." — stephen hawking, 52. “never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” — mae jemison, 53. “cosmology does, i think, affect the way that we perceive humanity’s role in nature. one thing we’ve learnt from astronomy is that the future lying ahead is more prolonged than the past. even our sun is less than halfway through its life.” — neil degrasse tyson, 54. “i promise you that the same stuff galaxies are made of, you are. the same energy that swings planets around stars makes electrons dance in your heart.” — kamal ravikant, live your truth, 55. “everybody has a little bit of the sun and moon in them.” — suzy kassem, rise up and salute the sun, 56. “the stars up there at night are closer than you think.” — doug dillon, 57. “because there is such a law as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing.” — stephen hawking.

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Quotes About The Universe & Mankind

58. "there is perhaps no better a demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world.” — carl sagan, 59. “i heard the universe as an oratorio sung by a master choir of stars, accompanied by the orchestra of the planets and the percussion of satellites and moons.” — r.j. anderson, ultraviolet, 60. “we are finite, in that we are a product and source of the infinite.” — ilyas kassam, 61. “once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.” — albert einstein, 62. “one of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. perfection simply doesn’t exist… without imperfection, neither you nor i would exist.” — stephen hawking, 63. "you cannot look up at the night sky on the planet earth and not wonder what it’s like to be up there amongst the stars. and i always look up at the moon and see it as the single most romantic place within the cosmos.” — tom hanks, 64. “the history of astronomy is a history of receding horizons.” — edwin hubble, 65. “do not look at stars as bright spots only. try to take in the vastness of the universe.” — maria mitchell, 66. “love one another, but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” — khalil gibran, the prophet, 67. “equipped with his five senses, man explored the universe around him and calls the adventure 'science.'” — edwin hubble, 68. “mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open sea. we choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives and lifts our national spirit. let us continue the journey.” — george w. bush, 69. “the universe is a pretty big place. if it’s just us, seems like an awful waste of space.” — carl sagan, 70. “when you look at the stars and the galaxy, you feel that you are not just from any particular piece of land, but from the solar system.” — kalpana chawla, 71. “two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. and i’m not sure about the universe.” — albert einstein, 72. “i saw the world from the stars’ point of view, and it looked unbearably lonely.” — shaun david hutchinson, we are the ants, 73. “of course there are worlds. millions of them every star you see has world, and most of those you don’t see.” — isaac asimov, pebble in the sky, 74. “i look up at the night sky, and i know that, yes, we are part of the universe, we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the universe is in us. when i reflect on that fact, i look up — many people feel small because they’re small and the universe is big, but i feel big because my atoms came from those stars.” — neil degrasse tyson.

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Quotes About Space Travel & Exploration

75. “the universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” — neil degrasse tyson, 76. “astronomers, like burglars and jazz musicians, operate best at night.” — miles kington, 77. “the exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time.” — john f. kennedy, 78. “man must rise above the earth — to the top of the atmosphere and beyond — for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.” — socrates, 79. "i don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years unless we spread into space. there are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. but i'm an optimist. we will reach out to the stars." — stephen hawking.

80. “The cosmos is within us. … We are a way for the universe to know itself.” — Carl Sagan

81. “to confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.” — stephen hawking, 82. “across the sea of space, the stars are other suns.” — carl sagan, 83. “the earth is the cradle of humanity — but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.” — konstantin tsiolkovsky, 84. “even today the most jaded city dweller can be unexpectedly moved upon encountering a clear night sky studded with thousands of twinkling stars. when it happens to me after all these years, it still takes my breath away.” — carl sagan, 85. "astronauts are like these mythic legends, but really, they are just regular people, people who wear chinos." — mary roach.

86. “Space is an inspirational concept that allows you to dream big.” — Peter Diamandis

87. “discover the force of the skies, o men: once recognized, it can be put to use.” — johannes keplar, 88. “all civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct.” — carl sagan, 89. “the time will come when man will know what’s going on in the other planets and perhaps be able to visit them.” — henry ford, 90. “astronomy compels the soul to look upward, and leads us from this world to another.” — plato, 91. “for me, it is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.” — carl sagan, 92. “it’s funny. when we were alive, we spent much of our time staring up at the cosmos and wondering what was out there. we were obsessed with the moon and whether we could one day visit it. the day we finally walked on it was celebrated worldwide as perhaps man’s greatest achievement. but it was while we were there, gathering rocks from the moon’s desolate landscape, that we looked up and caught a glimpse of just how incredible our own planet was. its singular, astonishing beauty.” — jon stewart, earth: a visitor’s guide to the human race, 93. "i think we are at the dawn of a new era in commercial space exploration." — elon musk, 94. “looking up into the night sky is looking into infinity—distance is incomprehensible and therefore meaningless.” — douglas adams, a hitch-hiker’s guide to the galaxy, 95. “stars, everywhere. so many stairs that i could not for the life of me understand how the sky could contain them all yet be so black.” — peter watts, blindsight, 96. “the universe is not a stagnant place where technology stands still and only the few govern its destiny. rather, it’s a multi-dimensional dynamic entity that interacts with all things, even the very smallest. and what part we each play in it and the effect we have on it is a matter of our own choice.” r.g. risch.

RELATED: 32 Quotes From Famous Explorers On How To Satisfy Your Wanderlust

Lauren Margolis is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture, and relationship topics.

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85 Inspiring Space Quotes for All Mankind

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These space quotes offer inspiration from the final frontier.

On July 20th, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins manned the Saturn V rocket, departing the Kennedy Space Center at 9:32 a.m EDT, and landing the moon module (the Eagle ) at 4:18 p.m EDT.

With more than half a billion people watching live on television, Neil Armstrong climbed down the ladder and proclaimed: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Aldrin joined him shortly afterwards, offering the people at home a simple but powerful description of the surface of the moon: “magnificent desolation.” The astronauts explored the lunar surface for two and a half hours, taking photos and collecting samples.

Before heading back to Earth, the crew left behind an American flag, a patch honoring the fallen crew of Apollo 1, and a plaque on one of the Eagle’s legs. It reads, “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”

Their successful mission was the culmination of both big dreams and hard work, as the world responded to President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to America to “commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth.” (May 25th, 1961).

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the incredible moon landing . In honor of all those who dared to dream of seeing a world beyond this one, we’ve collected the very best quotes about space together in one place.

Page Contents

Quotes about Space Travel and Exploration

In 1961, when Kennedy challenged the United States to put a man on the moon and bring him home again, our fascination with space and space exploration was already evident.

The incredible leaps in engineering and technology that made the Apollo missions possible, as well as the courage of the men who went into space, were fueled by the desire to see and know more than ever before.

Today, we are still fascinated by space and the idea of space travel. Space continues to represent a new frontier for mankind, fascinating and scaring us in equal measure. We continue to push the boundaries of our knowledge, awaiting the day when travel into space is as open and accessible as air travel.

Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolutions, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it–we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding. John F. Kennedy

I believe that space travel will one day become as common as airline travel is today. I’m convinced, however, that the true future of space travel does not lie with government agencies — NASA is still obsessed with the idea that the primary purpose of the space program is science — but real progress will come from private companies competing to provide the ultimate adventure ride, and NASA will receive the trickle-down benefits. Buzz Aldrin

The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win. John F. Kennedy

Space is for everybody. It’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts. That’s our new frontier out there, and it’s everybody’s business to know about space. Christa McAuliffe

Mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives, and lifts our national spirit. So let us continue the journey. George W. Bush

The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space. John F. Kennedy

On one side are those who believe space travel is difficult work, but who go for it anyway. On the other are those who believe caring for a goldfish is, and who don’t go after much of anything. Where we choose to seed ourselves on the spectrum of what’s possible is what will ultimately define the size of our lives. Mary-Jo Dionne

Human exploration and colonization of Mars will keep us busy for hundreds, even thousands, of years. During that time, there will be advances in nanotechnology, space sailing, robotics, biomolecular engineering, and artificial intelligence. These advances are occurring even now, affecting our outlook about what it means to be human and engage in human activity. Those technologies will not merely allow us to stay home on Earth and Mars, but our minds will extend our presence throughout the universe so that we will not need or want to extend our bodies there — even if we could, which I think is doubtful. Louis Friedman

Quotes from Astronauts

It’s incredible to think that there are people who have spent time in Space, looking at the Earth, the stars, and the other planets, walking among us and living ordinary lives. These quotes reveal what motivates them to take flight, what our planet looks like from Space, and what space travel has taught them about life here on Earth.

Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination. Mae Jemison

I know the sky is not the limit because there are footprints on the Moon — and I made some of them! Buzz Aldrin

To some this may look like a sunset. But it’s a new dawn. Chris Hadfield

You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch.’ Edgar Mitchell

It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn’t feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. Neil Armstrong

Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe. Ron Garan

I looked and looked but I didn’t see God. Yuri Gagarin, speaking in 1961 about being the first human in space

I am also planning to leave a lot of things undone. Part of life’s mystery depends on future possibilities, and mystery is an elusive quality which evaporates when sampled frequently, to be followed by boredom. For example, catching various types of fish is on my list of good things to do, but I would be reluctant to rush into it, even if i had the time. I want no part of destroying fishing as a mysterious sport. Michael Collins

Gravity hurts. Viktor Alexandrov

In the van, we can see the rocket in the distance, lit up and shining, an obelisk. In reality, of course, it’s a 4.5-megaton bomb loaded with explosive fuel, which is why everyone else is driving away from it. Chris Hadfield

I find it curious that I never heard any astronaut say that he wanted to go to the Moon so he would be able to look back and see the Earth. We all wanted to see what the Moon looked like close up. Yet, for most of us, the most memorable sight was not of the Moon but of our beautiful blue and white home, moving majestically around the sun, all alone and infinite black space. Alan Bean

We are limited only by our imagination and our will to act. Ron Garan

I thought the attractions of being an astronaut were actually, not so much the moon, but flying in a completely new medium. Neil Armstrong

When I first looked back at the Earth, standing on the Moon, I cried. Alan Shepherd

Anyone who sits on top of the largest hydrogen-oxygen fueled system in the world, knowing they’re going to light the bottom, and doesn’t get a little worried, does not fully understand the situation. John Young

The scenery was very beautiful. But I did not see The Great Wall. Yang Liwei

The Earth was small, light blue, and so touchingly alone, our home that must be defended like a holy relic. The Earth was absolutely round. I believe I never knew what the word round meant until I saw Earth from space. Alexi Leonov

Mars has been flown by, orbited, smacked into, radar examined, and rocketed onto, as well as bounced upon, rolled over, shoveled, drilled into, baked and even blasted. Still to come: Mars being stepped on. Buzz Aldrin

The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away it diminished in size. Finally, it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. James Irwin

Suddenly, from behind the rim of the moon, in long, slow-motion moments of immense majesty, there emerges a sparkling blue and white jewel, a light, delicate sky-blue sphere laced with slowly swirling veils of white, rising gradually like a small pearl in a thick sea of black mystery. It takes more than a moment to fully realize this is Earth… home. Edgar Mitchell

What everyone in the astronaut corps shares in common is not gender or ethnic background, but motivation, perseverance , and desire — the desire to participate in a voyage of discovery. Ellen Ochoa

To become an astronaut is not a question of being the best at something or things coming easy to you, but it’s being a person that can work with others and not give up . And, for me, that was part of it too. Michael J. Massimino

It’s easy to sleep floating around — it’s very comfortable. But you have to be careful that you don’t float into somebody or something! James Irwin

Any astronaut can tell you you’ve got to do everything you can to learn about your life support system and then do everything you can to take care of it. Sylvia Earle

Astronauts are inherently insane. And really noble. Andy Weir

I don’t know what you could say about a day in which you have seen four beautiful sunsets. John Glenn

Of course risk is part of spaceflight. We accept some of that to achieve greater goals in exploration and find out more about ourselves and the universe. Lisa Nowak

Space Quotes from Astrophysicists

From the observations of a heliocentric solar system by Galileo Galilei in the early 17th century, to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time , space is the question that has intrigued some of the greatest minds in every generation.

The best and brightest of those who study space have disseminated their knowledge in ways that have been approachable to anyone who wants to find out more about the universe. They have brought together the “big questions” about science, the way the universe works, the role of our solar system, and our place within it. These are some of their best and most intriguing quotes!

One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist…..Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist. Stephen Hawking

I don’t think the human race will survive the next 1,000 years, unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. But I’m an optimist . We will reach out to the stars. Stephen Hawking

Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the Universe exist. Be curious . And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up. Stephen Hawking

When forced to summarize the general theory of relativity in one sentence: Time and space and gravitation have no separate existence from matter. Albert Einstein

In the context of general relativity, space almost is a substance. It can bend and twist and stretch, and probably the best way to think about space is to just kind of imagine a big piece of rubber that you can pull and twist and bend. Alan Guth

However we select from nature a complex [of phenomena] using the criterion of simplicity, in no case will its theoretical treatment turn out to be forever appropriate (sufficient)…. I do not doubt that the day will come when [general relativity], too, will have to yield to another one, for reasons which at present we do not yet surmise. I believe that this process of deepening theory has no limits. Albert Einstein

Most of what Einstein said and did has no direct impact on what anybody reads in the Bible. Special relativity, his work in quantum mechanics, nobody even knows or cares. Where Einstein really affects the Bible is the fact that general relativity is the organizing principle for the Big Bang. Neil deGrasse Tyson

For every one billion particles of antimatter there were one billion and one particles of matter. And when the mutual annihilation was complete, one billionth remained – and that’s our present universe. Albert Einstein

Einstein was searching for String Theory. It not only reconciles General Relativity to Quantum Mechanics, but it reconciles Science and the Bible as well. Roy H. Williams

For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. Carl Sagan

I speak now not as a planetary scientist but as someone who has colleagues who are planetary scientists and this is what they told me. Who doesn’t want to go to Europa? The problem is the technology to enable that is not yet available. And so if you direct monies to go to Europa prematurely and you find out that it fails, for whatever reason, it would not have been an effective investment of your money. So you say, “Well, we can try to go to Europa, but it might fail, or maybe the technology won’t come for yet another decade or we know how to get to Mars. We know how to do air bags and drop rovers and those sort of things, so let’s do that.” So we’re prioritizing not so much the science but we’re prioritizing what’s doable. Neil deGrasse Tyson

By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox. Galileo Galilei

In my studies of astronomy and philosophy I hold this opinion about the universe, that the Sun remains fixed in the centre of the circle of heavenly bodies, without changing its place; and the Earth, turning upon itself, moves round the Sun. Galileo Galilei

The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself. Carl Sagan

To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit. Stephen Hawking

Cosmology does, I think, affect the way that we perceive humanity’s role in nature. One thing we’ve learnt from astronomy is that the future lying ahead is more prolonged than the past. Even our sun is less than halfway through its life. Neil deGrasse Tyson

Who is more humble? The scientist who looks at the universe with an open mind and accepts whatever the universe has to teach us, or somebody who says everything in this book must be considered the literal truth and never mind the fallibility of all the human beings involved? Carl Sagan

His conflict with the Catholic Church arose because deep in his heart Galileo was a believer. There was for him no path of compromise, no way to have separate secular and theological cosmologies. If the Copernican system was true as he believed, what else could Galileo do but fight with every weapon he had in his arsenal of logic, rhetoric, scientific observation, mathematical theory, and cunning insight, to make his Church accept a new system of the universe? Bernard Cohen

My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all. Stephen Hawking

Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy. Albert Einstein

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. Carl Sagan

Space in Popular Culture

Our fascination with space, the universe, and our place in it, isn’t just limited to real-life knowledge and proven fact. It has crossed into writing, music, TV, and movies; offering up new perspectives on old space missions, pictures of new worlds, and visions of a future beyond our solar system.

From the novels of Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke, to the Doctor Who series, and David Bowie’s unforgettable Space Oddity , popular culture gives us a window on what we hope, and fear, to find beyond the stars.

I’m sure the universe is full of intelligent life. It’s just been too intelligent to come here. Arthur C. Clarke

It’s a fixer-upper of a planet but we could make it work.” Elon Musk on Inhabiting Mars

Space travels in my blood / There ain’t nothing I can do about it / Long journeys wear me out / But I know I can’t live without it, oh no The Only Ones, Another Girl Another Planet

Space or science fiction has become a dialect for our time. Doris Lessing

In the past, it was only in science fiction novels that you could read about ordinary people being able to go to space… But you laid the foundation for space tourism. Nursultan Nazarbayev

900 years of time and space and I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important. Doctor Who

In science fiction, we dream. In order to colonize in space, to rebuild our cities, which are so far out of whack, to tackle any number of problems, we must imagine the future, including the new technologies that are required. Ray Bradbury

We cannot predict the new forces, powers, and discoveries that will be disclosed to us when we reach the other planets and set up new laboratories in space. They are as much beyond our vision today as fire or electricity would be beyond the imagination of a fish. Arthur C. Clarke

The function of science fiction is not always to predict the future, but sometimes to prevent it. Frank Herbert

Looking up into the night sky is looking into infinity – distance is incomprehensible and therefore meaningless. Douglas Adams, A Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy

I’m floating in a most peculiar way / And the stars look very different today / For here Am I sitting in a tin can / Far above the world / Planet Earth is blue / And there’s nothing I can do. David Bowie, Space Oddity

We hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of Space Quotes! As we continue to search the stars, let’s hope that 50 years from now we have an achievement as monumental as the 1969 Moon Landing to celebrate. Stay inspired!

Natalie Seale

3 thoughts on “85 Inspiring Space Quotes for All Mankind”

Great article! These quotes surely can relate to anyone. “It’s a fixer-upper of a planet but we could make it work.” Elon musk. I like this quote because I am tech person and it resonates with how humans were able to innovate and create the planet we have today.

I believe that in the future man will be having two houses, one on earth and one in space, closely connected.

Space & it’s horizon is endless. We can not even imagine it’s limitations & boundaries.

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Space Travel Quotes

"God has no intention of setting a limit to the efforts of man to conquer space."

- Pope Pius XII

"To be the first to enter the cosmos, to engage, single-handed, in an unprecedented duel with nature—could one dream of anything more?"

- Yuri Gagarin, Russian Cosmonaut

"When I orbited the Earth in a spaceship, I saw for the first time how beautiful our planet is. Mankind, let us preserve and increase this beauty, and not destroy it!"

"It [the rocket] will free man from his remaining chains, the chains of gravity which still tie him to this planet. It will open to him the gates of heaven."

- Wernher von Braun, Rocket Engineer

"Our two greatest problems are gravity and paperwork. We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming."

"Don't tell me that man doesn't belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go - and he'll do plenty well when he gets there."

"I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. But I'm an optimist. We will reach out to the stars."

- Stephen Hawking, Astrophysicist

"Man is an artifact designed for space travel. He is not designed to remain in his present biologic state any more than a tadpole is designed to remain a tadpole."

- William Burroughs, Author

"Space travel is life-enhancing, and anything that's life-enhancing is worth doing. It makes you want to live forever."

- Ray Bradbury, Science Fiction Author

"Life, forever dying to be born afresh, forever young and eager, will presently stand upon this Earth as upon a footstool, and stretch out its realm amidst the stars."

- H. G. Wells, Science Fiction Author

"A sense of the unknown has always lured mankind and the greatest of the unknowns of today is outer space. The terrors, the joys and the sense of accomplishment are epitomized in the space program."

- William Shatner, Actor

"I don't know what you could say about a day in which you have seen four beautiful sunsets."

- John Glenn, Astronaut

"Anyone who sits on top of the largest hydrogen-oxygen fueled system in the world; knowing they're going to light the bottom—and doesn't get a little worried—does not fully understand the situation."

- John Young, Astronaut

"Through you, we feel as giants, once again."

- President Ronald Reagan, to the Crew of the First Shuttle Mission

"I remember growing up thinking that astronauts and their job was the coolest thing you could possibly do... But I absolutely couldn't identify with the people who were astronauts. I thought they were movie stars."

- David M. Brown, Space Shuttle Astronaut

"Let's face it, space is a risky business. I always considered every launch a barely controlled explosion."

- Aaron Cohen, NASA Administrator

"Every generation has the obligation to free men's minds for a look at new worlds . . . to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation."

- Ellison S. Onizuka, Challenger Astronaut

"If offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat. Just get on."

- Christa McAuliffe, Teacher and Challenger Astronaut

"I cannot join the space program and restart my life as an astronaut, but this opportunity to connect my abilities as an educator with my interests in history and space is a unique opportunity to fulfill my early fantasies. I watched the space program being born, and I would like to participate."

"This is a day we have managed to avoid for a quarter of a century. We've talked about it before and speculated about it, and it finally has occurred. We hoped we could push this day back forever."

- Astronaut John Glenn, Regarding the Challenger Accident

"All of a sudden, space isn't friendly. All of a sudden, it's a place where people can die. . . . Many more people are going to die. But we can't explore space if the requirement is that there be no casualties; we can't do anything if the requirement is that there be no casualties."

- Isaac Asimov, Science Fiction Writer

"The thing I'll remember most about the flight is that it was fun. In fact, I'm sure it was the most fun that I'll ever have in my life."

- Sally K. Ride, First Woman to Orbit Earth on the Space Shuttle

"Of course risk is part of spaceflight. We accept some of that to achieve greater goals in exploration and find out more about ourselves and the universe."

- Lisa Nowak, Space Shuttle Astronaut

"Some say that we should stop exploring space, that the cost in human lives is too great. But Columbia's crew would not have wanted that. We are a curious species, always wanting to know what is over the next hill, around the next corner, on the next island. And we have been that way for thousands of years."

- Stuart Atkinson, Writer

"Let’s light this fire one more time, Mike, and witness this great nation at its best."

- Christopher Ferguson, Commander of the Final Space Shuttle Mission

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Unveiling the Cosmos: 50 Inspirational Quotes on Space Exploration

Space exploration has always captivated the imagination of humanity, pushing the boundaries of our understanding and inspiring us to dream of what lies beyond our planet. Whether it’s the vastness of the cosmos or the potential for extraterrestrial life, the exploration of space continues to fuel our curiosity and drive scientific advancement. To celebrate the wonders of the universe, here are 50 inspirational quotes on space exploration that will ignite your sense of wonder and remind you of the limitless possibilities that await us among the stars.

“The universe is a grand book which cannot be read until one has first learned to comprehend the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is composed.” GALILEO GALILEI

This quote by Galileo Galilei reminds us that the universe is like a vast book filled with secrets and mysteries waiting to be discovered. In order to unravel its secrets, we must first learn to understand the language of science and become familiar with the characters, such as planets, stars, and galaxies, that make up our cosmic story.

“The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.” KONSTANTIN TSIOLKOVSKY

Tsiolkovsky’s quote reminds us that while Earth is our home, our destiny lies in venturing beyond our planet. Just as a child grows and leaves the comfort of their cradle, humanity must also explore the cosmos and seek out new frontiers. Space exploration is our path to growth and evolution as a species.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” ALBERT EINSTEIN

Einstein reminds us that the mysteries of the universe, such as black holes, dark matter, and the origin of the cosmos, are the wellspring of inspiration for both art and science. It is our fascination with the unknown that drives us to explore and uncover the secrets of the cosmos, leading to breakthroughs in our understanding of the world around us.

“The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us.” RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Emerson’s quote highlights the beauty and majesty of the night sky. The stars, planets, and celestial objects that adorn the heavens create a breathtaking masterpiece that can be observed by anyone who looks up. The sky is a canvas that constantly changes, offering us a glimpse into the vastness and diversity of the cosmos.

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” CARL SAGAN

Carl Sagan’s quote captures the essence of space exploration. Beyond the boundaries of our current knowledge lies an infinite realm of possibilities. The universe is filled with wonders and discoveries yet to be made, and it is our insatiable curiosity that propels us to explore and uncover the incredible mysteries that await us.

“Space is for everybody. It’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts. That’s our new frontier out there, and it’s everybody’s business to know about space.” CHRISTY MCALEAVEY

McAleavey’s quote reminds us that space exploration is not limited to a select few. It is a frontier that belongs to all of humanity. The exploration of space is a collective endeavor that inspires us all to learn, dream, and contribute to our understanding of the universe, regardless of our background or expertise.

“Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.” CARL SAGAN

In this quote, Sagan reminds us that exploration is an inherent part of our human nature. From the earliest days of our existence, we have been driven to venture into the unknown. The time has come for us to embrace our wanderer spirit once again and set sail into the cosmic ocean, exploring the vastness of space and discovering new worlds.

“I don’t think the human race will survive the next thousand years unless we spread into space.” STEPHEN HAWKING

Hawking’s quote serves as a reminder of the importance of space exploration for the long-term survival of our species. By expanding into space, we ensure our resilience against potential threats to Earth and create opportunities for growth and progress that can sustain us for millennia to come.

“Space travel is life-enhancing, and anything that’s life-enhancing is worth doing. It makes you want to live forever.” RAY BRADBURY

Bradbury’s quote captures the transformative power of space travel. Exploring the cosmos expands our horizons and enriches our lives. It instills in us a desire to push the boundaries of what is possible and strive for a future where the wonders of space are accessible to all, creating a legacy that will endure for generations to come.

These quotes on space exploration remind us of the boundless potential of the universe and the importance of venturing beyond our planet. They inspire us to dream, to question, and to explore, sparking our curiosity and pushing the limits of human knowledge. As we gaze up at the stars, let these words of wisdom guide us on our journey to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos and unveil the wonders that await us among the stars.

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Space Exploration Quotes

I am proud to be part of a species where a subset of its members willingly put their lives at risk to push the boundaries of our existence. The Sky Is Not the Limit , p. 72

What are the lessons to be learned from this journey of the mind [through the universe]? That humans are emotionally fragile, perennially gullible, hopelessly ignorant masters of an insignificantly small speck in the cosmos. Have a nice day. Death By Black Hole , p. 47

When provoked, the itsy-bitsy invertebrates known as tardigrades can suspend their metabolism. In that state, they can survive temperatures of… 73 K (-328° F) for days on end, making them hardy enough to endure being stranded on Neptune. So the next time you need space travelers with the “right stuff,” you might want to choose yeast and tardigrades, and leave your astronauts, cosmonauts, and taikonauts at home. Death By Black Hole , p. 177

The news media reported the $250 million [the cost of two failed Mars missions] as an unthinkably huge waste of money and proclaimed that something was wrong with NASA. The result was an investigation and a congressional hearing. Not to defend failure, but $250 million is not much more than the cost to produce Kevin Costner’s film flop Waterworld . Death By Black Hole , p. 302

I have found that when calculating what no one has calculated before, like my observing sessions on the mountain, my mental acuity peaks. Ironically, these are the times that I would flunk the reality check normally reserved for mental patients and dazed boxers: What is your name? What day is it? Who is the president of the United States?… I do not know, and I do not care. I am at peace with my equations as I connect to the cosmic engines that drive our universe. The Sky Is Not the Limit , p. 165

Regarding polar craters on the Moon:

Apart from the obvious advantages of having ice to melt, filter, then drink, you can also break apart the water’s hydrogen from its oxygen. Use the hydrogen and some of the oxygen as active ingredients in rocket fuel and keep the rest of the oxygen for breathing. And in your spare time between space missions, you can always go ice skating on the frozen lake created with the extracted water. Death By Black Hole , p. 214

Ever since there have been people, there have been explorers, looking in places where other hadn’t been before. Not everyone does it, but we are part of a species where some members of the species do—to the benefit of us all. Reaching For the Stars: America’s Choice , Natural History Magazine, April 2003

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Space Exploration Quotes

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A sense of the unknown has always lured mankind and the greatest of the unknowns of today is outer space. The terrors, the joys and the sense of accomplishment are epitomized in the space program.

We'd never have got a chance to go outside and look at the earth if it hadn't been for space exploration and NASA.

To boldly go where no one has gone before

We believe that when men reach beyond this planet, they should leave their national differences behind them.

Looking down the road, space exploration and the benefits it yields - in medicine and information technology - should not be overlooked.

The choice is: the Universe...or nothing.

To set foot on the soil of the asteroids, to lift by hand a rock from the Moon, to observe Mars from a distance of several tens of kilometers, to land on its satellite or even on its surface, what can be more fantastic? From the moment of using rocket devices a new great era will begin in astronomy: the epoch of the more intensive study of the firmament.

God has no intention of setting a limit to the efforts of man to conquer space.

Life, forever dying to be born afresh, forever young and eager, will presently stand upon this Earth as upon a footstool, and stretch out its realm amidst the stars.

This is the goal: To make available for life every place where life is possible. To make inhabitable all worlds as yet uninhabitable, and all life purposeful.

Your mysterious mountains I wish to see closer. May I land my kinky machine?

Everyone, red state, blue state, everyone supports space exploration.

We go into space because whatever mankind must undertake, free men must fully share.

It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.

First I believe that this Nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon.

I think space exploration is very important. I think there is very intelligent life on Mars. I believe that Martians are spying on us from the bottom of the ocean.

Every generation has the obligation to free men's minds for a look at new worlds . . . to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation.

There is just one thing I can promise you about the outer-space program - your tax-dollar will go further.

I believe we can do more in making the President's vision for space exploration a reality by awarding cash prizes to encourage greater participation of the private sector in the national space program.

Don't tell me that man doesn't belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go - and he'll do plenty well when he gets there.

We can continue to try and clean up the gutters all over the world and spend all of our resources looking at just the dirty spots and trying to make them clean. Or we can lift our eyes up and look into the skies and move forward in an evolutionary way.

Now is the time...for this nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement, which in many ways may hold the key to our future on Earth.

... the United States was not built by those who waited and rested and wished to look behind them. This country was conquered by those who moved forward, and so will space.

It will free man from the remaining chains, the chains of gravity which still tie him to this planet.

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Space Exploration quotes by:

• John F. Kennedy 35th U.S. President
• Neil Armstrong Astronaut
• Wernher von Braun Rocket scientist
• Buzz Aldrin Astronaut
• Neil deGrasse Tyson Astrophysicist
• David M. Brown Astronaut
• Charles Duke Test pilot
• Carl Sagan Astronomer
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Famous and Memorable Space Quotes That Will Inspire

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Space quotes are an amazing inspiration for anyone looking to look for incredible opportunities outside of what we already know. They define who we are as humans and also highlight the things we’ve achieved. Let’s look at some of the most famous space quotes and break down their significance.

“That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong

This single quote is perhaps one of the most iconic and profound of all time. It was declared from a place no human had ever been at the height of the space race and in the midst of a cold war. In many ways, it was a victory for the “good guys” and the first leap into a combined effort to unlock the secrets of space.

In case you’re not aware, Neil Armstrong was the commander of the Apollo 11 mission that put a man on the Moon for the first time in history. Armstrong spoke those words as he stepped down from the ladder and onto the Lunar surface for the first time.

In this declaration, he stated that a single step was the culmination of years of effort and the answer to President Kennedy’s oath. The Wright brothers had flown a few hundred feet in 1900, and less than 70 years later, we had a man on the Moon.

This quote is often misspoken without the word “a”, as radio static prevents the word from being heard clearly. However, without that one letter, the sentence ends up contradictory. Fortunately, careful analysis of the original statement does show that Armstrong did indeed speak correctly.

“When I first looked back at the Earth, standing on the Moon, I cried.” – Alan Shepard

Alan Shepard saw action in the navy during World War II and went on to be a naval aviator. He was the first American to reach outer space aboard his Mercury capsule in May of 1961. Later, Shepard would be commander of the Apollo 14 spacecraft that put humans on the Moon for the third time.

When reminiscing about his experience on the Moon, Shepard answered with this quote. For all the man had experienced in life, that incredible view still brought him to tears. This quote is one of a few that adorn the tower that will send humans back to the Moon with the Artemis program.

“Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe.” – Ron Garan

Ron Garan is a retired NASA astronaut who spent a combined 178 days in space over the course of two missions. These missions took him over 71 million miles (114 million kilometers) as he orbited the Earth 2,842 times.

This quote recognizes our tiny place in the massive expanse we call the Universe. However, the statement doesn’t hide the fact that all of us are part of a global community. We may have our unique places, but at the end of the day, it takes all of us to take care of our “town.”

“I don’t know what you could say about a day in which you have seen four beautiful sunsets.” – John Glenn

John Glenn was fortunate enough to be the first American to orbit the Earth before safely returning planetside. During the voyage, Glenn was subject to multiple sunsets as he traveled around the planet at speeds in excess of 17,000 miles per hour (27,000 kilometers per hour).

During a press conference back on terra firma, John Glenn summed up his experience with this quote.

“Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing.” – Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking is one of the more notable and intelligent minds of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Despite suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Hawking made many discoveries during his career. His time spent studying black holes made ripples in the world of physics.

The above quote appears in Hawking’s book The Grand Design, which seeks to answer many questions about the Universe, humans, and our purpose.

“To be the first to enter the cosmos, to engage, single-handed, in an unprecedented duel with nature—could one dream of anything more?” – Yuri Gagarin

Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human to ever leave Earth’s atmosphere. His trip toward the stars took place on April 12th, 1961, aboard a Vostok spacecraft. The entire journey lasted 108 minutes and took Gagarin around our planet one time.

Gagarin didn’t see his flight as a victory over the United States, but rather a triumph over the forces of gravity that have kept man confined to Earth for thousands of years. The experience made the man a national hero who is still celebrated today.

“Let’s face it, space is a risky business. I always considered every launch a barely controlled explosion.” – Aaron Cohen

Aaron Cohen was a part of NASA’s team during the Apollo program and helped put 12 men on the Lunar surface. He later became manager for the Space Shuttle orbiter, designing many aspects of the Shuttle and seeing it through to production.

With such proximity to many launches over his career, it’s no surprise that Cohen would make such a statement about the nail-biting experience that a blastoff can be.

“Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in a cradle forever.” – Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was a Russian inventor and engineer who became one of the fathers of rocketry and aeronautics.

Tsiolkovsky fell ill from scarlet fever at just ten years of age and effectively lost his hearing. Instead of using deafness as a handicap, it fueled Konstantin to accomplish what others had not. He went on to publish equations based on propulsion in single and multi-stage rockets that are the base for rocket science today.

The scientist was a firm believer in the dominance of humanity as a whole, and his famous quote indicates his desire for humanity to step out from Earth and grow.

“If offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.” – Christa McAuliffe

Christa McAuliffe was an American school teacher who was one of over 10,000 applicants to be the first nonscientist in space. Her application was selected, and McAuliffe trained as an astronaut to travel into space aboard the Challenger space shuttle in 1986. She shared this quote as part of her excitement over being chosen.

Sadly, McAuliffe’s mission was ill-fated, and the space shuttle exploded just 73 seconds after leaving the launch pad. There were no survivors. The catastrophe shook the world and halted space shuttle missions for two and a half years.

“Okay, Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” – Jack Swigert

Apollo 13 was another mission destined to end in failure. It was planned to be the third craft to put humans on the Moon, but disaster struck as the ship traveled through space.

Strange readings at mission control prompted a reboot of the main computer. This event caused a loud bang as the service module’s second oxygen tank exploded and ruptured. The noise caused Jack Swigert, command module pilot, to speak these now-famous words.

Surprisingly, the movie by the same name both incorrectly recites the quotation and puts the words in the mouth of Tom Hanks’s character Jim Lovell.

“I believe that space travel will one day become as common as airline travel is today.” – Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin became the second man to reach the lunar surface, touching down 19 minutes after Neil Armstrong. Space travel was still relatively new at this point, but standing on the Moon must have inspired Aldrin to think that we’d someday be living out some of our favorite science fiction movies.

Obviously, we’re not yet traveling to distant stars, but private companies are showing they have the means to take even civilians into space. These trips cost exorbitant amounts of money and last mere moments, but the path to Aldrin’s dream seems closer than ever.

“The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

This somewhat tongue-in-cheek quote comes from contemporary astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Tyson has helped lead the charge in popularizing science and space through books and podcasts. He received a lot of flak when the decision was made to demote Pluto to dwarf planet status.

Tyson’s quote speaks to the wonders of the cosmos around us and how we’re constantly discovering new things about it. In such a vast space, many things still don’t make sense to us, and it may be a long time before they do.

What is NASA’s Catchphrase?

NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been at the forefront of many space missions since its inception in 1958. The administration’s catchphrase reads, “At NASA, we make Air and Space available for everyone.”

Final Thoughts

2022 marks just 65 years since the first satellite, Sputnik, was launched into space. In those 65 years, we’ve seen and uncovered countless amazing things that have put us where we are today. Fortunately, the space program is alive and well, with human-crewed missions planned to the Moon and Mars. Time will tell what other space quotes these achievements bring.

About Noah Zelvis

Noah is a content writer who has had a love of all things astronomy for as long as he can remember. When not reaching for the stars, you’ll likely find Noah traveling or running.

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21 quotes from the Apollo 11 astronauts on everything from walking on the moon to the future of spaceflight

The Apollo 11 crew heads for the van that will take them to the rocket for launch to the moon at Kennedy Space Center.

• 50 years ago, the Apollo 11 astronauts took off for the moon.
• Aside from Neil Armstrong's unforgettable words upon walking the lunar surface, the three astronauts had much more to say about their experiences.
• Here are their most unforgettable quotes on everything from their historic mission to the future of space travel.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Half a century ago, on July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 astronauts took off for the moon.

Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins arrived four days later to a place no human being had ever been before.

Collins orbited the moon while Armstrong and Aldrin landed on its surface. It took them hours to put on their space suits and prep for touchdown. After descending the ladder onto the lunar surface, Armstrong uttered his historic words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." ( Armstrong would later claim, "'That's one small step for 'a' man.' It's just that people just didn't hear it.")

The 600 million people watching the moon landing on television would remember that line. But the three astronauts had much more to say about their experience flying to the moon and back.

Here are the astronauts' most memorable words.

Neil Armstrong on vision

"There are great ideas undiscovered, breakthroughs available to those who can remove one of truth's protective layers. There are places to go beyond belief."

Source: United Press International

Buzz Aldrin on dreams

"One truth I have discovered for sure: When you believe that all things are possible and you are willing to work hard to accomplish your goals, you can achieve the next 'impossible' dream. No dream is too high!"

Source : "No Dream is Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon"

Buzz Aldrin on keeping an open mind

"Your mind is like a parachute: If it isn't open, it doesn't work."

Neil Armstrong on challenges (answered during Apollo 11's pre-flight news conference)

"I think we're going to the moon because it's in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It's by the nature of his deep inner soul … we're required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream."

Source: Internet Archive

Michael Collins on liftoff

"We are off! And do we know it, not just because the world is yelling 'Liftoff' in our ears, but because the seats of our pants tell us so! Trust your instruments, not your body, the modern pilot is always told, but this beast is best felt. Shake, rattle and roll!"

Source : "Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys"

Buzz Aldrin on weightlessness

"There's a tremendously satisfying freedom associated with weightlessness. It's challenging in the absence of traction or leverage, and it requires thoughtful readjustment. I found the experience of weightlessness to be one of the most fun and enjoyable, challenging and rewarding, experiences of spaceflight. Returning to Earth brings with it a great sense of heaviness, and a need for careful movement. In some ways it's not too different from returning from a rocking ocean ship."

Source : Scholastic

Neil Armstrong after landing on the moon

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

Source: NASA

Neil Armstrong's first words on the moon

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Neil Armstrong on his famous quote

"I thought, well, when I step off it's just going to be a little step — a step from there down to there — but then I thought about all those 400,000 people who had given me the opportunity to make that step and thought it's going to be a big something for all those folks and, indeed for a lot of others that weren't even involved in the project, so it was kind of a simple correlation."

Source: CBS News

Neil Armstrong on his moonwalk

"Pilots take no special joy in walking: pilots like flying. Pilots generally take pride in a good landing, not in getting out of the vehicle."

Source: "In the Shadow of the Moon"

Buzz Aldrin on the lunar surface

"Magnificent desolation."

Source: "Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon"

Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface

"It's an interesting place to be. I recommend it."

Michael Collins on looking down at Earth

"I really believe that if the political leaders of the world could see their planet from a distance of, let's say 100,000 miles, their outlook would be fundamentally changed. The all-important border would be invisible, that noisy argument suddenly silenced."

Source : Michael Collins on Twitter

Michael Collins on orbiting the moon alone

"I am alone now, truly alone, and absolutely isolated from any known life. I am it. If a count were taken, the score would be three billion plus two over on the other side of the moon, and one plus God knows what on this side."

Buzz Aldrin on looking back at Earth

"From the distance of the moon, Earth was four times the size of a full moon seen from Earth. It was a brilliant jewel in the black velvet sky. Yet it was still at a great distance, considering the challenges of the voyage home."

Buzz Aldrin on being the second man on the moon

"As the senior crew member, it was appropriate for [Armstrong] to be the first. But after years and years of being asked to speak to a group of people and then be introduced as the second man on the moon, it does get a little frustrating. Is it really necessary to point out to the crowd that somebody else was first when we all went through the same training, we all landed at the same time and all contributed? But for the rest of my life I'll always be identified as the second man to walk on the moon. [Laughs.]"

Source: National Geographic

Buzz Aldrin on returning to space

"Everyone who's been in space would, I'm sure, welcome the opportunity for a return to the exhilarating experiences there. For me, a flight in a shuttle, though most satisfying, would be anticlimactic after my flight to the moon."

Neil Armstrong on being an engineer

"I am, and ever will be, a white-socks, pocket-protector, nerdy engineer — born under the second law of thermodynamics, steeped in the steam tables, in love with free-body diagrams, transformed by Laplace, and propelled by compressible flow."

Source: National Academy of Engineering

Michael Collins on Mars

"I see more moon missions as delaying Mars, which is a much more interesting place to go."

Neil Armstrong on lunar bases

"Oh, I am quite certain that we will have such bases in our lifetime, somewhat like the Antarctic stations and similar scientific outposts — continually manned. Although, certainly there is the problem of the environment, the vacuum, the high and low temperatures of day and night. Still, in all, in many ways, it's more hospitable than Antarctica might be."

Source: BBC interview via Business Insider

Buzz Aldrin on exploration

"The urge to explore has propelled evolution since the first water creatures reconnoitered the land. Like all living systems, cultures cannot remain static; they evolve or decline. They explore or expire."

Source : Albuquerque Tribune

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SPACE TRAVEL QUOTES

quotations about space travel and exploration

The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.

attributed, Final Frontier: The Pioneering Science and Technology of Exploring the Universe

Tags: Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. But I'm an optimist. We will reach out to the stars.

The Daily Telegraph , October 16, 2001

Tags: Stephen Hawking

I'm sure the universe is full of intelligent life. It's just been too intelligent to come here.

IRC discussion at Scifi.com, November 1, 1996

Tags: Arthur C. Clarke

All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct.

Pale Blue Dot

Tags: Carl Sagan

Space is for everybody. It's not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts. That's our new frontier out there, and it's everybody's business to know about space.

December 6, 1985

This is Major Tom to Ground Control I'm stepping through the door And I'm floating in a most peculiar way And the stars look very different today For here Am I sitting in a tin can Far above the world Planet Earth is blue And there's nothing I can do Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles I'm feeling very still And I think my spaceship knows which way to go Tell my wife I love her very much

"Space Oddity"

NASA spent millions of dollars inventing the ball-point pen so they could write in space. The Russians took a pencil.

Ground Control to Major Tom Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear me, Major Tom?

The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space.

speech at Rice University, September 12, 1962

The time will come when man will know even what is going on in the other planets and perhaps be able to visit them.

Theosophist Magazine , February 1930

Tags: Henry Ford

Mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives, and lifts our national spirit. So let us continue the journey.

speech at NASA Headquarters, January 14, 2004

Tags: George W. Bush

The stars will never be won by little minds; we must be big as space itself.

Double Star

Tags: Robert A. Heinlein

Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolutions, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it--we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.

Tags: John F. Kennedy

We cannot predict the new forces, powers, and discoveries that will be disclosed to us when we reach the other planets and set up new laboratories in space. They are as much beyond our vision today as fire or electricity would be beyond the imagination of a fish.

"Space and the Spirit of Man"

We are the light that travels into space.

A man who has been in another world does not come back unchanged. One can't put the difference into words. When the man is a friend it may become painful: the old footing is not easy to recover.

Tags: C. S. Lewis

I believe that space travel will one day become as common as airline travel is today. I'm convinced, however, that the true future of space travel does not lie with government agencies -- NASA is still obsessed with the idea that the primary purpose of the space program is science -- but real progress will come from private companies competing to provide the ultimate adventure ride, and NASA will receive the trickle-down benefits.

Magnificent Desolation

Tags: Buzz Aldrin

It's a fixer-upper of a planet but we could make it work.

CEO of SpaceX, speaking about the possibility of humans colonizing Mars, May 2013

Space travel is life-enhancing, and anything that's life-enhancing is worth doing. It makes you want to live forever.

Playboy , 1996

Tags: Ray Bradbury

We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.

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Historical quotations about space exploration.

Educators, Students

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History, Historical Overviews

Historical audio recordings of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon regarding space exploration are on a backdrop of historical footage from the Apollo 11 mission.

This clip is from the Flight of Apollo 11.

Flight of Apollo 11 Full Video

Historical Quotations About Space Exploration Duration: 43 seconds View on YouTube

Other video learning clips in this series: July 16, 1969: Apollo 11 Lifts Off Lunar Module in Space Astronauts Work Aboard the Lunar Module Destination: The Moon Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin Arrive on the Moon Leaving the Moon, Eagle Heads for Columbia The Mission Ends Safely: Astronauts Head for Debriefing Mission Complete: Review and Evaluation

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24 Inspiring Space Travel Quotes for the Adventurous at Heart

December 19, 2023, 9:14 am

Space travel has always been a topic of fascination for mankind. The idea of exploring the vast unknown, venturing beyond our planet, and discovering new worlds has captivated the imaginations of people for centuries. Space travel quotes have the power to inspire, ignite our sense of adventure, and remind us of the wonders that lie beyond our earthly confines. In this article, we have compiled 30 inspiring space travel quotes that are sure to evoke the spirit of adventure in anyone who reads them.

Quotes about the wonders of the universe

• “The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, but stranger than we can imagine.” – Sir Arthur Eddington

The universe is a mysterious and awe-inspiring place. It holds countless wonders that are beyond our comprehension. From the breathtaking beauty of distant galaxies to the mind-boggling phenomena of black holes, the universe never fails to amaze us. As we gaze at the night sky, we are reminded of the vastness and complexity of the cosmos, and our place within it.

• “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” – Albert Einstein

The wonders of the universe have inspired artists, scientists, and thinkers throughout history. The beauty and mystery of the cosmos have been a driving force behind some of the greatest discoveries and creations in human history. It is through our curiosity and desire to understand the unknown that we are able to push the boundaries of what is possible and expand our horizons.

• “We are made of star stuff.” – Carl Sagan

The elements that make up our bodies were once forged in the heart of a star. We are connected to the universe in a profound way, and this realization can fill us with a sense of wonder and awe. When we look up at the night sky, we are not just observers, but participants in the grand cosmic dance.

Quotes about the spirit of adventure

• “Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still.” – Carl Sagan

Humans have always been driven by a spirit of adventure and exploration. From the earliest explorers who set out to discover new lands to the astronauts who ventured beyond the confines of Earth, our desire to explore is an integral part of who we are as a species. It is this spirit of adventure that pushes us to go further, to reach for the stars, and to discover what lies beyond.

• “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” – Amelia Earhart

The thrill of adventure lies not only in the destination but in the journey itself. It is the sense of discovery, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned along the way that make the adventure worthwhile. Whether it’s exploring the far reaches of space or embarking on a personal quest, the spirit of adventure is what drives us forward and enriches our lives.

• “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” – Oprah Winfrey

Each of us has our own dreams and aspirations, our own version of what constitutes a grand adventure. Whether it’s pursuing a career in space exploration, starting a business, or traveling the world, the biggest adventure we can undertake is to follow our passions and live a life that is true to ourselves. It is through embracing our dreams and taking bold leaps into the unknown that we can truly experience the thrill of adventure.

Quotes about curiosity and exploration

• “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” – Carl Sagan

Curiosity is the driving force behind exploration. It is the insatiable desire to know more, to uncover the mysteries of the universe, and to expand our understanding of the world around us. When we embrace our curiosity and embark on a journey of exploration, we open ourselves up to the possibility of discovering something incredible, something that has never been known before.

• “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.” – Albert Einstein

Curiosity is what fuels innovation and progress. It is through questioning the status quo, challenging assumptions, and seeking answers that we are able to push the boundaries of what is known and make new discoveries. Curiosity is a powerful force that drives us to explore, to learn, and to grow.

• “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” – Albert Einstein

The more we learn about the universe, the more we realize how vast and complex it truly is. It is a humbling experience to comprehend the sheer magnitude of what we don’t know. But it is through the pursuit of knowledge and the willingness to explore the unknown that we are able to expand our understanding and make new discoveries.

Quotes about the beauty of the cosmos

• “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” – Carl Sagan

The beauty of the cosmos is not just something we observe from a distance; it is a part of who we are. We are intricately connected to the universe, and through our exploration and understanding of the cosmos, we are able to gain insight into our own existence. The beauty of the cosmos lies not only in its grandeur and vastness but in its ability to inspire wonder and awe.

• “The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever.” – Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

As we gaze at the night sky, we are reminded that there is a whole universe waiting to be explored. The beauty of the cosmos beckons us to venture beyond our earthly confines and to discover what lies beyond. It is through our exploration of the cosmos that we are able to appreciate the beauty and wonder of our own planet and gain a new perspective on our place in the universe.

• “Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. And, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust.” – Lawrence M. Krauss

Quotes about the limitless possibilities of space travel

• “Space is for everybody. It’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts. That’s our new frontier out there, and it’s everybody’s business to know about space.” – Christa McAuliffe
• “The sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning.” – Unknown
• “Space travel is the greatest adventure in human history.” – Yuri Gagarin

Quotes about the awe-inspiring nature of space

• “In the vastness of space and the immensity of time, it is my joy to share a planet and an epoch with Annie.” – Carl Sagan
• “The universe is a pretty big place. If it’s just us, seems like an awful waste of space.” – Carl Sagan
• “Space is big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s, but that’s just peanuts to space.” – Douglas Adams

Quotes about the courage and bravery of astronauts

• “The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy.” – John F. Kennedy
• “Space is dangerous. It’s what we do here. It’s what we live through. It’s why we risk our lives.” – Chris Hadfield
• “Astronauts are not superhuman. They lead ordinary lives and do ordinary things. But they are ordinary people who do extraordinary things.” – Chris Hadfield

Quotes about the future of space exploration

• “The future of space exploration will be driven by imagination, innovation, and international collaboration.” – Mae Jemison
• “We can choose to explore the universe and come to know ourselves or we can choose to squander our resources on war and conflict.” – Carl Sagan
• “The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space.” – John F. Kennedy

Conclusion and final thoughts

In conclusion, space travel quotes have the power to inspire, ignite our sense of adventure, and remind us of the wonders that lie beyond our earthly confines. They capture the essence of curiosity, exploration, and the limitless possibilities that space travel holds. Whether it’s the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos, the spirit of adventure that drives us, or the courage and bravery of astronauts, these quotes serve as a reminder of our place in the universe and the importance of pushing the boundaries of what is known.

quote about space exploration Space Travel Quotes

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529+ Space Exploration Quotes In the Footsteps of Astronauts! (Images)

Space exploration, a cosmic journey igniting human imagination, has birthed quotes embodying awe, wonder, and the essence of venturing beyond Earth.

These quotes are a testament to human curiosity, innovation, and the enduring spirit of exploration. They encapsulate dreams of reaching stars, the challenges of the unknown, and the faith in science.

Neil Armstrong’s iconic words, “One small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind,” echo history, marking humanity’s moon landing.

In the full article, delve into a curated collection of space exploration quotes celebrating cosmic grandeur and the human spirit.

Join the journey through words that inspire us to explore the universe’s mysteries and reach for the stars.

Table of Contents

Space Exploration Quotes

“The important achievement of Apollo was demonstrating that humanity is not forever chained to this planet and our visions go rather further than that and our opportunities are unlimited.” – Neil Armstrong

“Exploration knows no bounds, and the journey into space will always be humanity’s greatest adventure.” – Buzz Aldrin

“The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.” – Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

“Space exploration is a force of nature unto itself that no other force in society can rival.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

“The Moon is a stepping stone; Mars is the next destination.” – Buzz Aldrin

“Space exploration is a grand adventure, and it’s just beginning.” – Robert Zubrin

“The Earth is just too small and fragile a basket for the human race to keep all its eggs in.” – Robert Heinlein

“Space exploration is a force of nature itself that no other force in society can rival.” – Carl Sagan

“The more we learn about the cosmos, the more we realize that it is both stranger and more amazing than we could ever have imagined.” – Edwin Hubble

“To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.” – Stephen Hawking

“Space exploration is a capstone experience for humanity.” – Eugene Cernan

“Mars is there, waiting to be reached.” – Buzz Aldrin

“Space exploration is not just about scientific discovery. It is about pushing the boundaries of human potential.” – Mae Jemison

“Exploration is wired into our brains. If we can see the horizon, we want to know what’s beyond.” – Buzz Aldrin

“Space exploration is a force that unites us as a planet.” – Yuri Gagarin

“The important achievement of Apollo was demonstrating that humanity is not forever chained to this planet.” – Carl Sagan

“Space exploration is a quest for a better future for all of humanity.” – Elon Musk

“The Earth is the cradle of the mind, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.” – Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” – John F. Kennedy

“Space exploration is a powerful driver of technology and innovation.” – Chris Hadfield

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

“The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena.” – Carl Sagan

“We are all time-travelers, journeying together into the future. But let us work together to make that future a place we want to visit.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

“The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” – Maya Angelou

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” – Carl Sagan

“Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.” – Frank Borman

“Space exploration is a force that drives us to explore the unknown and achieve the impossible.” – Sunita Williams

“The more we explore, the more we realize how much there is to learn and discover.” – John Glenn

“Space exploration is a shared journey, and the benefits are for all of humanity.” – Valentina Tereshkova

Space Travel Quotes

“The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

“Space exploration is a voyage into the unknown, driven by curiosity and the thirst for knowledge.” – Edgar Mitchell

“Every astronaut who has been to space has come back changed, with a broader perspective on humanity and our place in the cosmos.” – Chris Hadfield

“Space exploration is an investment in our future, inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and dreamers.” – Ellen Ochoa

“Space exploration is not just about reaching new destinations; it’s about pushing the boundaries of human understanding.” – Sally Ride

“In the vastness of space, our small planet is a precious oasis, and it is our duty to explore and preserve it.” – Yuri Gagarin

“Space exploration is an expression of our innate curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge that defines humanity.” – John Young

“The dream of traveling to the stars is as old as humanity, and now we are on the verge of turning that dream into reality.” – Stephen Hawking

“Space exploration is a testament to the power of human collaboration and the ability to overcome challenges.” – Valeri Polyakov

“The journey to space is a testament to the indomitable spirit of human exploration and our relentless pursuit of the unknown.” – Gus Grissom

“Exploration is not just about reaching new places; it’s about discovering new perspectives that enrich our understanding of the universe.” – Kalpana Chawla

“Space travel is not a destination; it’s a continuous journey of discovery, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.” – Alan Bean

“The cosmos is within us, and we are explorers of the cosmos. The journey never ends; it only evolves.” – Carl Sagan

“Space exploration is a shared endeavor that transcends borders, bringing people together in the pursuit of knowledge.” – Alexey Leonov

“The challenges of space travel reflect the challenges of life – they are opportunities for growth and progress.” – Eileen Collins

“Space exploration is not just about reaching for the stars; it’s about bringing the stars within our reach.” – Anousheh Ansari

“The beauty of space travel lies not just in the destinations we reach, but in the journey of exploration itself.” – Jim Lovell

“Space is not just the final frontier; it is an infinite frontier with endless possibilities waiting to be explored.” – Gene Roddenberry

“As we venture into space, we carry with us the hopes and dreams of generations past, present, and future.” – Peggy Whitson

“The cosmos is a vast canvas of wonders, and space exploration is the brushstroke that reveals its secrets.” – Edwin Hubble

“Space exploration challenges us to push beyond our limits, to dream big, and to strive for greatness.” – Michael Collins

“The universe is a giant puzzle, and with each exploration, we uncover new pieces that contribute to the grand picture of existence.” – Jill Tarter

“Space travel is a celebration of human ingenuity, resilience, and our unrelenting pursuit of the unknown.” – Mae Jemison

“In the grand tapestry of the cosmos, each space mission is a unique thread weaving its own story.” – Charlie Duke

“Space exploration is not just a scientific endeavor; it is a testament to the human spirit of adventure and curiosity.” – Gherman Titov

“Space is the ultimate frontier, and exploration is the compass guiding us toward a future of endless possibilities.” – Yuri Gidzenko

“The journey to space is a collective odyssey of humankind, transcending borders and inspiring generations to come.” – Kalpana Chawla

“Space exploration is the ultimate expression of human curiosity, bravery, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.” – John Glenn

“As we gaze at the stars, we are reminded that our dreams are not bound by the limits of gravity.” – Sunita Williams

“Space is not just a destination; it is a frontier of endless discovery, inviting us to explore, learn, and evolve.” – Neil Armstrong

Famous Quotes About Space Exploration

“Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still.” – Carl Sagan

“Space exploration is a voyage of self-discovery, pushing the boundaries of what we know and who we are.” – Robert Zubrin

“Space exploration is a journey that expands our knowledge, fuels our imagination, and challenges our limitations.” – Eileen Collins

“The space program was really important to me as a kid. I saw the first humans walk on the moon, and it amazed me. I thought, ‘Wow, this is just the beginning.'” – Bill Nye

“Space exploration is a mirror that reflects the best of humanity – our curiosity, resilience, and spirit of collaboration.” – Valentina Tereshkova

“The allure of space exploration is irresistible, and the discoveries we make fuel our pursuit of understanding the cosmos.” – Peggy Whitson

“Space is a frontier that beckons us to venture forth, to explore, and to strive for greatness as a species.” – Elon Musk

“Space exploration is a quest for knowledge that transcends borders, uniting us in our shared journey of discovery.” – Sally Ride

“Space is not a destination; it is an invitation to explore the mysteries of the universe and unlock the secrets of our existence.” – Yuri Gagarin

“The cosmos is a vast playground, and space exploration is our way of joining the cosmic dance of discovery.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

“Space exploration is not just about reaching the stars; it’s about reaching deep within ourselves to understand who we are.” – Chris Hadfield

“Our exploration of space is an investment in the future, a commitment to advancing science and technology for the benefit of all.” – Buzz Aldrin

“Space exploration is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.” – John F. Kennedy

“The wonders of space are not just out there; they are within us, waiting to be discovered through exploration and curiosity.” – Edgar Mitchell

“Space exploration inspires us to dream beyond the ordinary, to imagine the extraordinary, and to reach for the stars.” – Eugene Cernan

“The desire to explore the unknown is ingrained in our DNA, and space is the final frontier of that human curiosity.” – Kalpana Chawla

“Space exploration is the quest for answers to the questions that have fascinated humanity for centuries.” – Carl Sagan

“The space program is a voyage of discovery, a journey that expands our understanding and reshapes our place in the cosmos.” – Neil Armstrong

“Space exploration is a testament to the power of human innovation and the audacity to pursue the seemingly impossible.” – Yuri Gidzenko

“The universe is our classroom, and space exploration is the means by which we continue to learn and grow as a species.” – Valeri Polyakov

“Space is not just a void; it’s a canvas of possibilities waiting to be painted with the brushstrokes of exploration.” – Mae Jemison

“Space exploration is a shared journey, and the discoveries we make belong to all of humanity.” – Alexey Leonov

“The cosmos is not just a backdrop; it’s a stage for the grand drama of exploration, discovery, and human achievement.” – John Young

“Space is not an empty expanse; it’s a tapestry of wonders that beckons us to explore and unravel its mysteries.” – Frank Borman

“The dream of exploring space is a universal aspiration that transcends borders, uniting us in the pursuit of knowledge.” – Sunita Williams

“Space exploration is not about leaving the Earth behind; it’s about carrying our home with us as we journey into the cosmos.” – Gus Grissom

“The universe is an open book, and space exploration is our way of reading and understanding its chapters.” – Alan Bean

“Space is not just a destination; it’s a frontier of endless opportunities waiting to be discovered and explored.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Space exploration is a testament to human courage, determination, and the enduring quest for knowledge.” – Robert Heinlein

“The stars are not just distant lights; they are beacons guiding us on our journey of exploration and discovery.” – Maya Angelou

Inspirational Quotes About Space Exploration

“Space exploration challenges us to overcome obstacles, dream big, and turn the impossible into the possible.” – Eileen Collins

“The pursuit of knowledge and the exploration of space are endeavors that elevate the human spirit and expand our collective consciousness.” – Sally Ride

“Space is not just a frontier; it’s an invitation to dream, to innovate, and to embark on a journey of endless possibilities.” – Chris Hadfield

“In the vastness of the cosmos, every discovery is a triumph of human intellect and an affirmation of our capacity for greatness.” – Valentina Tereshkova

“Space exploration is the embodiment of our innate curiosity and the relentless pursuit of understanding the mysteries of the universe.” – Buzz Aldrin

“The stars are our destination, and space exploration is the roadmap that guides us toward a future of limitless potential.” – Elon Musk

“Space is not just a void; it’s a canvas for our imagination, an arena for our aspirations, and a stage for our triumphs.” – Carl Sagan

“The challenges of space exploration are not obstacles; they are stepping stones to a future where humanity thrives beyond Earth.” – Yuri Gagarin

“Space is not a barrier; it’s a gateway to new horizons, new possibilities, and a future shaped by our collective aspirations.” – John F. Kennedy

“The desire to explore space is a flame that burns within each of us, lighting the path to a future where the cosmos is our playground.” – Neil Armstrong

“Space exploration inspires us to look beyond the ordinary, to envision the extraordinary, and to strive for greatness as individuals and as a species.” – Mae Jemison

“The cosmos is not just a destination; it’s a calling that beckons us to explore, to discover, and to leave our mark on the tapestry of the universe.” – Kalpana Chawla

“Space exploration is a testament to human ingenuity, courage, and the audacity to dream beyond the confines of our planet.” – Yuri Gidzenko

“In the grand symphony of the universe, space exploration is the melody that echoes the spirit of human curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

“Space is not a frontier to conquer; it’s an infinite playground that invites us to learn, to grow, and to evolve as individuals and as a civilization.” – Valeri Polyakov

“Every mission to space is a declaration of our commitment to exploration, discovery, and the continuous expansion of our understanding of the cosmos.” – Peggy Whitson

“The dream of space exploration is not just about reaching new worlds; it’s about reaching new heights in our understanding of who we are and what we can achieve.” – Gene Roddenberry

“Space is not a final frontier; it’s an ever-expanding frontier of opportunities that encourages us to push beyond our limits and reach for the stars.” – Sunita Williams

“The universe is a canvas of possibilities, and space exploration is the brush that paints a future where the colors of innovation, curiosity, and discovery never fade.” – Frank Borman

“Space exploration is an ongoing dialogue between humanity and the cosmos, a conversation that transcends time and challenges us to become better stewards of our cosmic home.” – Robert Zubrin

“The journey into space is an odyssey of inspiration, an epic story of human courage, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of the unknown.” – John Glenn

“Space is a vast playground of dreams, and space exploration is the vehicle that propels us into a future where those dreams become reality.” – Gus Grissom

“Every venture into space is a testament to our collective will to explore, to overcome challenges, and to embrace the infinite possibilities that lie beyond our planet.” – Alan Bean

“Space exploration is a celebration of human potential, a journey of self-discovery that propels us toward the realization of our limitless capabilities.” – Mae Jemison

“The stars are not distant lights; they are beacons of inspiration, guiding us on a cosmic journey of self-discovery, innovation, and growth.” – Charlie Duke

“Space exploration is a symphony of hope, a melody of discovery, and a chorus of human ingenuity that resounds through the cosmos.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“The quest for knowledge, the pursuit of dreams, and the exploration of space are not just endeavors; they are the essence of what it means to be human.” – Edwin Hubble

“Space is not a final destination; it’s a continuous journey that challenges us to explore, learn, and evolve, pushing the boundaries of our understanding and capabilities.” – Michael Collins

“The universe is not just a distant realm; it is a reflection of the boundless potential within each of us, waiting to be awakened through the pursuit of exploration.” – Kalpana Chawla

“Space exploration is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a journey that teaches us to rise above challenges and reach for the stars, both literally and metaphorically.” – Gherman Titov

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NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?

Astronomers laud NASA's plan to protect the space environment, but the agency needs to act fast to make a difference.

NASA is taking environmentalism to orbit. The space agency’s deputy administrator, Pam Melroy, recently unveiled the first phase of NASA’s new Space Sustainability Strategy . In the coming months, NASA will roll out additional   parts of the strategy, which together are designed to ensure that the space around Earth gets cleaned up—and that resources in space are shared equitably and sustainably.

“This was a long time coming,” Melroy says. Different parts of the agency have been embracing sustainability on their own and using their own approaches—now, NASA is going to make an agency-wide effort, she says.

The first phase of NASA’s sustainability strategy focuses on junk in orbit around Earth. In fact, the orbital trash problem is arguably the most pressing space issue today. Nearly 10,000 functioning satellites encircle the globe, but there are also many, many more defunct spacecraft , derelict rocket bodies, and millions of pieces of other garbage hurtling around our planet at some 17,000 miles per hour.  

Astronomers who have sounded the alarm about the increasingly crowded space around Earth have praised the new plan, but many say that the U.S. space agency is lagging behind other countries, and it needs more urgency to address this pressing issue of pollution in orbit.

“I’m very happy to see that NASA’s doing this. But I think it’s very important to see whether Congress gives them the budget to actually do anything differently,” says Darren McKnight, senior technical fellow at LeoLabs, a spacecraft and debris-tracking company based in Menlo Park, California.  

Growing pains

What is true is that any satellite orbiting in a crowded area is at increasing risk of getting smashed by an errant chunk of metal careening into it, and thus becoming trash itself.  

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Melroy and her colleagues at NASA are particularly concerned about the risks to the International Space Station and the astronauts aboard it—risks that were dramatized by the 2013 movie Gravity , where Sandra Bullock had to flee the orbiting outpost. In such a worst-case-scenario, the space station’s critical modules would be compromised, and any astronaut who couldn’t board a spacecraft and escape would die.

The more satellites there are, the more dangers there are, too. If there were a collision in orbit, say, between an abandoned rocket body and a dead satellite, that would beget yet more debris, risking more collisions, rendering that orbit unusable for years or decades. It’s akin to a car crash pileup on a highway lane, except there are no emergency vehicles in space and no way to clean it all up without spending millions if not billions of dollars on a years-long process.

In the new report, NASA lays out the first part of the sustainability strategy. It cites the rapidly growing satellite population and the increasingly congested space that is low Earth orbit, as well as all those hazardous bits of space junk, large and small. The report also points to the recent expansion of artificial constellations in the sky made up of thousands of satellites apiece. The largest one by far is SpaceX’s Starlink, which could eventually amass more than 40,000 spacecraft in its ranks. Amazon’s Project Kuiper plans to be not far behind.

Great garbage patch

NASA’s long-term models are useful, says McKnight, as they show how debris could continue accumulating over decades. But the agency is missing the fact that bad things are already happening now—and they need solutions now, too, he says.  

For example, on February 28, NASA’s TIMED spacecraft, which studies solar radiation in the upper atmosphere, had a close call with a 32-year-old defunct Russian satellite. The satellite was dead and so couldn’t possibly have maneuvered out of the way. If they’d been on a collision course, no one could’ve prevented it.

The stakes are higher for the International Space Station, which houses astronauts. The station has been threatened several times by orbiting garbage over the past couple years—once by a piece of an old Russian rocket and another time by shrapnel from a Russian anti-satellite missile test that took place in 2021, which delayed a planned NASA spacewalk, since debris could easily penetrate a spacesuit.  

The United States, China and India have all tested anti-satellite missiles, too, by blowing up their own satellites, creating space junk in the process. The problem was so acute that in 2022 U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called for an international moratorium on these space-polluting weapons tests.

National Geographic Explorer Moriba Jah , who is also a University of Texas aerospace engineer and the cofounder of Privateer Space with Apple’s Steve Wozniak, says that, ultimately, NASA and other space agencies and companies need to face the fact that “the fate of everything we launch is to become trash, and that needs to change.”  

Taking action

Some agencies are already trying to do as Jah suggests—and NASA is playing catch up. The European Space Agency released its   zero debris approach more than a year ago. It has specific targets the agency plans to meet by 2030 to reduce risks of satellite-trash collisions in orbit. The United Kingdom’s Space Agency, meanwhile, announced it would put a premium on space sustainability in 2023, and Japan has started to invest in private space companies dedicated to addressing space debris, too. Japan is also working with the United Nations to raise awareness of the problem worldwide.   While NASA has been lagging, some American regulatory agencies like the Federal Communications Commission have their own space junk rules. In 2022 the FCC imposed new rules designed to force telecom companies to dispose of their old spacecraft rather than letting them drift in orbit for decades. The Federal Aviation Administration also has proposed a rule to make space companies dispose of upper-stage rocket bodies left in orbit.  

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But NASA’s strategy could be a significant step forward, Jah says. Yet it’s also a missed opportunity to link to waste management principles already developed for land, ocean, and air pollution, he says.  

“The space community is trying to reinvent the wheel,” Jah says. Unlike its European counterpart, NASA also currently lacks a concrete plan to develop a circular space economy, which means redesigning spacecraft, experimenting with new materials and fuels, and reusing and recycling satellites rather than deploying so many single-use ones.  

Cleanup time

NASA is late to the debris cleanup party, too. A mission called Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan, or ADRAS-J, launched in February and is now attempting to safely approach an old rocket body left in orbit 15 years ago. The team’s aim is to image the giant hunk of space garbage, characterize its condition and movements, and synchronize the ADRAS-J spacecraft’s spin with that of the rocket body—all precursors to removing it from orbit, which a future mission could accomplish.  

Meanwhile, in 2026, the European Space Agency and a private company called Clearspace plan to launch a spacecraft that will use robotic arms to capture a 250-pound rocket part and safely tug it down into the atmosphere, where it and the spacecraft will both safely burn up. According to the U.S. Space Force, the rocket part they’re targeting appears to have itself been hit by smaller debris last summer, further demonstrating the problem and the need for action.

America will certainly lead its own space junk disposal missions, NASA’s Melroy says, but the agency still has to flesh out its space sustainability plan before it makes any major decisions. She’s already familiar with myriad concepts for decluttering orbit, having previously served at DARPA, an agency that explores far-out ideas, including concepts for using harpoons, nets, or an orbital catcher’s mitt to grab litter in space.   NASA’s annual budgets ultimately depend on Congress, which cut the agency’s fiscal year 2024 budget by 2 percent, with the   Mars sample return mission and other programs losing some funding. A debris disposal mission would be a major new investment. NASA’s cost-benefit analysis demonstrates that removing the top 50 most concerning objects in low Earth orbit—mostly derelict rocket bodies and other objects orbiting near critical satellites—would be expensive but worthwhile in the long run. It would also make financial sense to develop lasers and other technologies that could be used to nudge debris out of harm’s way to prevent imminent collisions, according to that analysis.

But designing and deploying such garbage-hauling tech will take years, and scaling it up will take longer than that.

Ultimately, getting rid of space trash now is important, but “active debris removal cannot be used as a panacea,” says Aaron Boley, a planetary scientist at the University of British Columbia and cofounder of the Outer Space Institute, a network of space experts.  

“I’m pleased they put out this strategy on space sustainability. There’s a lot of work to be done,” he says. It’s also necessary to change behavior, for example, since it’s impossible to clean up the mess if people keep polluting and leaving more junk up in orbit.  

And he argues that the reflectivity of spacecraft altering the night sky should be considered part of space sustainability, too. Boley and his colleagues wrote a paper in March about satellite visibility during 2024's April 8 total solar eclipse that was viewed by millions of people in North America.  

Earth’s orbit marks the cusp of outer space—and sustainability will have to extend beyond that.  

To the moon

The rest of NASA’s strategy will include long-term plans for the moon and its orbit and for deep space, which includes Mars and asteroids.  

Through the Artemis moon program, NASA’s racing to develop a lunar outpost and a space station, while China, Russia, and the commercial space industry have their own designs for the moon, too.  

But there’s limited resources on the moon. That means NASA's use of any water ice there has to take others' needs, including those of future generations, into account. Such considerations will play into NASA’s sustainability efforts, Melroy says. “I think these things will evolve with time as we learn, but we’re going to be focused on preserving areas of scientific significance and areas of historic significance and great natural beauty.”

Melroy likens NASA’s approach to space sustainability to its work on climate change, as the space agency has for decades been studying the Earth’s climate as a holistic system and promoting sustainability on our own planet.  

The climate analogy is apt for the space junk crisis in another way too, McKnight says. “This is like global warming in the sense that we see it coming. But no one wants to act until it’s really a problem,” he says.  

“We’re kind of waiting for something bad to happen so that we’ll respond, but it’s better to deter or deny a threat than recover from it. I applaud NASA taking this step, but I hope it’s with the right level of urgency.”

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With Republicans Like These, Who Needs Russian Propaganda?

Some far-right members of congress seem to be parroting vladimir putin’s talking points. that doesn’t mean anti-ukraine conspiracy theories can’t be homegrown..

Earlier this month, Republican Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, the head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Puck News that Russian propaganda had “infected a good chunk of my party’s base.” Several days later, another Republican, Rep. Michael Turner of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said he agreed. “Anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor,” Turner told CNN, are “directly coming from Russia.”

It was a notable moment—and a telling one, as the House gets ready for a contentious vote on aid to Ukraine. The vote is being loudly protested by far-right politicians including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is pushing to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from his role over the issue.

It’s not the first time Republican lawmakers have accused their colleagues of essentially being Russian pawns. But as far-right rabble-rousers in the Republican Party have increasingly advocated against continued support of Ukraine—and even some mainstream Republicans no longer interpret Russian aggression as a ruthless threat to democracy and the international order—the most extreme lawmakers appear to be mirroring the Kremlin’s own propaganda.

Last Monday, Greene told Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast that Ukraine was waging a “war against Christianity” and Russians “seem to be protecting” the religion. The idea of Russia as a great (white) Christian nation has been percolating in right-wing thinking for more than a decade , despite Russia’s history of suppressing non-Orthodox Christianity and exerting power over the Russian Orthodox Church.

But Greene didn’t limit herself to praising Russia’s religious nationalism on Bannon’s show: She cited , as fact, anti-Ukraine disinformation that “the Ukrainian government is attacking Christians” and “executing priests.” This prompted former Rep. Ken Buck, another Republican, to call Greene “Moscow Marjorie” on CNN.

And indeed, this assertion does mirror Russia’s own talking points about Ukraine. (In actuality, the crimes Greene accused Ukraine of committing are crimes Russian forces have perpetrated .) But whether the Kremlin’s own talking points are being piped into the brains of right-wing American politicians—or just bear a striking similarity to the new isolationist rhetoric of the far right—is a matter of interesting debate.

Russian propaganda operations have evolved somewhat from the infamous social media campaigns that influenced the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Take the case of a false narrative about Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky using U.S. aid money to buy himself two yachts. This rumor—which is demonstrably false, given that the ownership of ships can be easily tracked—has been swirling in right-wing social media circles for months and popping up in American politicians’ talking points. It’s such an effective fabrication that North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis told CNN in December that the debate over aid to Ukraine had been halted on the Hill in part because some lawmakers were concerned that “people will buy yachts with this money.”

But where did that idea come from? According to the BBC , the assertion that Zelensky had purchased two luxury yachts with U.S. aid money originated in November on a YouTube channel with just a handful of followers. The day after the video was posted, a site called DC Weekly published the claim as news, and that report was then picked up by other websites.

DC Weekly is not some kind of alternative newspaper or community blog; Clemson University researchers Darren Linvill and Patrick Warren argued in a report in December that the website was likely created to share fake news created by Russian state actors. The site is populated with A.I. content, has clearly fake authors, and has been partially hosted on a server in Moscow.

Russian disinformation that is packaged as news, Linvill said in a phone interview, often follows a similar pattern of dissemination. “I would bet my retirement on the fact that the Russians create the videos, plant the videos, write the stories, plant the stories, and distribute the stories,” Linvill wrote in an email.

“It’s the logic of the thing,” he said, “but also the fact that it happens repeatedly.” He pointed to a dozen other instances of disinformation narratives that started as assertions in obscure YouTube videos and were then picked up by publications with similarly legitimate-sounding names.

From 2016 through 2020, Linvill said, Russian propagandists focused on creating social media accounts to promote divisive ideas within the existing American discourse. That is still happening. But today, Linvill said, resources are more likely to be directed toward creating entire fake platforms, including websites that look like news sites. The stories tend to be sensationalized in a way that encourages organic sharing.

According to the Washington Post , Kremlin materials “obtained by a European intelligence service” show Moscow-linked strategists also stoke division in the U.S. by amplifying stories based in reality—including about migrants overwhelming the border, poverty and inflation, and reasons not to trust mainstream media.

But the story of the yacht shows how a fabricated rumor, likely originating in Russia, can start circulating in American politics. On Bannon’s War Room in December, Sen. J.D. Vance said , of his fellow politicians, “there are people who would cut Social Security, throw our grandparents into poverty, why? So that one of Zelensky’s ministers can buy a bigger yacht?”

The yacht story had a specific origin, but the growing anti-Ukraine sentiment among right-wing circles is harder to trace. After years of warfare and many millions of dollars in American aid, it makes sense that American enthusiasm for the Ukrainian cause might organically ebb.

And there is one man whose personal grudge against Ukraine could also cause Republicans to sour on a U.S. ally: Donald Trump.

“When American journalists and congresspeople use Russian talking points, they’re quoting Trump,” said Sarah Oates , a professor who studies disinformation and propaganda at the University of Maryland. “They are broadcasting Russian propaganda, but the conduit is Trump.”

Trump has several reasons to dismiss Russia’s threat to the international order. For starters, he openly admires authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and has shown an interest in modeling himself after them. More importantly, the association of his 2016 election with Russian election-meddling caused some on the left to question the legitimacy of his victory.

For legitimacy reasons, then, Republicans have an incentive to downplay the potency of Russian propaganda. Not to mention: The basis of much of the Republican Party’s attacks on President Biden relies on a misleading assertion that his son Hunter Biden colluded with corrupt Ukrainian officials. Portraying Ukraine as a corruption-riddled country bolsters right-wing conspiracy theories about Biden’s family.

In other words, shared talking points between Republicans and the Russian propaganda machine don’t necessarily mean Russia is effective in seeding its influence; it’s a mutually beneficial swirl of conspiracy theories. “I think this is just a highly useful convergence of goals for Putin and Trump,” Oates said.

“Trump does not care; he literally is not thinking about it,” Oates said, referring to the possibility that many of Trump’s talking points could come from Russia. “His calculus is, ‘How can I win?’ ”

Because it’s quite possible that Americans who want the U.S. to abandon Ukraine may have arrived at that opinion on their own, Thomas Rid , a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins, has warned against giving the Russians too much credit for swaying American public opinion.

Rid’s argument is: We shouldn’t help Russian strategists by assuming they’ve succeeded. Russia wants to undermine Americans’ trust in our systems and in our democracy. Believing that another country has the capability to, say, sway an election, serves that goal. “If we exaggerate the impact, we make the operations more successful than they would be otherwise,” he said, “and undermine trust in our own democracy, which is the goal of this game.”

It’s important, he argued, not to blame misinformation, isolationism, and other factors that led to changing views of the war on external actors alone. Americans, Rid said, are “perfectly capable of coming up with crazy ideas.”

Take Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s claim about why Putin needed to invade Ukraine. Speaking to a right-wing Alabama website, Tuberville said: “It’s a communist country, so he can’t feed his people, so they need more farmland.”

The claim—coming from a man who couldn’t name the three branches of American government and who thought World War II was fought over socialism —seems to be pure, homegrown nonsense.

“It’s blaming our own problems on others,” Rid said. “That’s the problem I find worrying.”

To be clear, Russian propaganda should be taken seriously: The country’s plans for deepening existing societal conflicts in the U.S. are not a secret . Given the various motivations at play and the inherent vagaries of how information and belief travel, though, it’s hard to know just how much the Republican Party has been “infected” by Russian propaganda, as Rep. McCaul put it.

What we can say with certainty is that there’s an alliance of interests. In his bizarre interview with Tucker Carlson in February, Putin laid out his several invented justifications for the invasion and said that he was interested in “peace.” The next day, Tuberville said he opposed sending aid to Ukraine because the Carlson interview “shows that Russia is open to a peace agreement.”

In her work, Oates found that researchers often couldn’t tell the difference between media pulled from Fox News and Russia Today, a Russian news network and propaganda arm; “identical” talking points don’t mean Russia is pulling the strings.

But there is still something to be gleaned from the coherence between Republicans and Russian strategists—and it’s probably a warning about our own news-media ecosystems. Rep. McCaul seemed to note this, telling Puck News that he saw “nighttime entertainment shows” in the U.S airing content that was “almost identical” to what was playing on Russian state TV.

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Middle East crisis: Blinken calls for calm as Iran official says no plan for immediate retaliation to reported Israeli missile strike – as it happened

This live blog is now closed. For the latest on the Middle East crisis, you can read our coverage here .

• 5d ago This day so far
• 5d ago Afternoon summary
• 5d ago EU imposes sanctions on four Israeli settlers
• 5d ago US sanctions on entities that raised funds for West Bank settlers
• 5d ago Man arrested in Paris after police cordon off Iranian consulate due to reported bomb threat
• 5d ago Blinken says conversations on Rafah at senior levels with Israel continue
• 5d ago Israeli 'aggression' on Iran is an escalation against the region, Hamas official says
• 5d ago Blinken: Hamas standing in the way of a Gaza ceasefire
• 5d ago Blinken: G7 is 'committed to de-escalating'
• 5d ago Israel gave US last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says
• 5d ago Israel's far-right national security minister criticised for online post about Israel and Iran
• 5d ago EU Commission president calls on Israel and Iran to refrain from escalation
• 5d ago US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership
• 5d ago No plan for immediate retaliation against Israel, senior Iranian official says
• 5d ago Summary of the day so far
• 5d ago IAEA says no damage to Iran's nuclear sites
• 6d ago Summary so far
• 6d ago US officials confirm Israel carried out operation against Iran
• 6d ago Nuclear sites unharmed - Iran state TV
• 6d ago Iran fires defence batteries - state-run IRNA news agency
• 6d ago Iran suspends flights over several cities
• 6d ago Welcome and opening summary

Blinken: G7 is 'committed to de-escalating'

Antony Blinken , the US secretary of state, addressed the press today at the conclusion of the G7 meeting of foreign ministers in Capri , Italy .

On behalf of the G7, he condemned Iran ’s cruise missile and drone attack on Israel that prompted an airstrike today on Isfahan , that the US says it has confirmed was carried out by Israel . It hasn not yet been confirmed by Israel or Iran.

“We’re committed to Israel’s security,” Blinken said. “We’re also committed to de-escalating.”

He noted that despite the tensions with Israel and Iran , “we remain intensely focused on Gaza”.

This day so far

It is currently 7pm in Gaza , 8pm in Tel Aviv, and 8.30pm in Tehran.

Here is a summary of what has happened so far:

the Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said that drones reportedly fired by Israel at the Iranian city of Isfahan did not cause “any damage or casualties”, as reported by Iranian media.

The US Congress is pushing forward a $95m national security package that would provide additional aid to Israel following Israel’s reported airstrike in Iran. The bill overcame a massive hurdle with the support of Democrats in the House of Representatives. If approved this weekend, it will be sent to the Senate.

A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry denounced the US’s veto of a Palestinian request to the UN security council, blocking the world body’s recognition of a Palestinian state. Iranian diplomat Nasser Kanani called the veto “irresponsible” and “unconstructive”.

Thank you for reading the latest updates on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Drones reportedly fired by Israel at the city of Isfahan in Iran caused no damage or casualties, said the Iranian foreign minister, Reuters reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian gave remarks on the drone attack while speaking with envoys of Muslim nations in New York.

“The Zionist regime’s media supporters, in a desperate effort, tried to make victory out of their defeat, while the downed mini-drones have not caused any damage or casualties,” Amirabdollahian said, according to Iranian media.

Here is an analysis of what Israel’s latest attack on Iran means for the political survival of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu , from the Guardian’s Bethan McKernan.

In the aftermath of Iran’s unprecedented salvo of missiles and drones fired directly at Israel at the weekend, Benny Gantz, a centrist member of the Israeli war cabinet, said that the country would respond “in the place, time and manner it chooses”. On Friday morning, that turned out to be explosions in the central Iranian city of Isfahan . Although no Israeli official has claimed responsibility for what seem to have been drone strikes on a military installation , Tehran, which retaliated after an airstrike on its consulate in Damascus, has downplayed the incident. The limited response may have for now staved off the threat of regional war. Unclaimed drone attacks on a military site in Isfahan are unlikely to satisfy supporters or critics of Israel’s longtime leader, Benjamin Netanyahu , or restore the level of deterrence Israel enjoyed in the region before the Hamas attack of 7 October. “Netanyahu, who has been threatening to attack Iran for 20 years, has realised a dream, or at least part thereof. The question is what about us, the people,” defence analyst and columnist for the leftwing Israeli daily Haaretz, Amos Harel, wrote on Friday. Meanwhile, Netanyahu ally and the far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, reacted with just one word – “Feeble!” – in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The Israeli prime minister may have achieved several short-term wins here. The muted Iranian reaction has soothed an anxious Israeli public before the week-long Passover holiday. Israel has also struck while it still has international diplomatic support for such an action, before the sense of urgency wanes and the world’s focus returns to the war in Gaza and its deepening famine …

Read the full article here .

A spokesperson for the foreign affairs ministry of Iran condemned the US’s veto to block full United Nations membership for Palestine, calling the decision “irresponsible”, AFP reported.

The US vetoed the Palestinian request to the UN security council, blocking the world body’s recognition of a Palestinian state.

The US was the only country to oppose the request on the 15-member security council. Twelve nations were in favor. The UK and Switzerland abstained.

“Washington’s action exposed the fraudulent nature of US foreign policy and its isolated position,” Iranian diplomat Nasser Kanani said.

Kanani added that Washington’s veto was “irresponsible” and “unconstructive”.

The US Congress is pushing forward a $95bn national security package that would provide additional aid to Israel following Israel’s airstrike in Iran.

The bill was moved forward in the House of Representatives following a critical procedural vote, the Associated Press reported. The legislation would also provide humanitarian support to Taiwan and Ukraine.

Aid for the international conflict between Russia and Ukraine has received faltering support from far-right conservatives, threatening the bill’s passage.

With the latest procedural obstacle cleared, the bill could be approved by the House this weekend and then sent to the Senate.

Afternoon summary

It has gone 5pm in Gaza , 6pm in Tel Aviv and 6.30pm in Tehran. Here is a summary of the day’s events so far:

Speaking publicly at the G7 meeting in Capri, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, declined to elaborate further on the reported Israeli attack on Iran, except to say his country had not been involved. “I’m not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,” Blinken said.

Blinken said while the Gy was “committed” to Israel’s security, “we’re also committed to de-escalating ”. “What the G7 is focused on, and it’s reflected in our statement and in our conversation, is our work to de-escalate tensions, to de-escalate from any potential conflict,” he said. “You saw Israel on the receiving end of an unprecedented attack, but our focus has been on, of course, making sure that Israel can effectively defend itself, but also de-escalating tensions and avoiding conflict. That remains our focus.”

At a separate news conference moments before Blinken, Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said the US was “informed at the last minute” but did not elaborate.

Air defence systems over several Iranian cities were activated, state media reported , after the country’s official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan , home to sites associated with Iran’s nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says there is no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites. In a post on X, the agency said it continues to monitor the situation very closely and calls for extreme restraint from all sides, stressing that “nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts”.

French police arrested a man who had threatened to blow himself up at Iran’s consulate in Paris on Friday afternoon. A police source told Reuters that the man was seen at about 11am (9am GMT) entering the consulate, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest. The man exited the consulate and was not actually carrying explosives, the source said.

Four Israeli extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have been today sanctioned by the EU along with two entities over alleged “serious human rights abuses against Palestinians”.

The US also added to its settler-related sanctions today by imposing sanctions on two entities that the US said helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for two violent extremists in the West Bank already targeted with US sanctions.

The Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, on Friday spoke by phone to his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, at Iran’s request to discuss regional developments , a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters. The source did not provide further details.

German airline group Lufthansa has suspended flights to Israel and Iraq until early Saturday. Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines also decided as a “precautionary measure” to suspend flights to Jordan’s capital Amman, as well as Erbil and Tel Aviv on Friday “to comprehensively reassess the security situation”. Both Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines had already suspended their flights to and from Tehran up until the end of the month.

Polish national airline LOT canceled flights on Friday to Tel Aviv and Beirut due to the unstable situation in the region, a spokesperson was quoted as saying by state news agency PAP.

Here’s a look at the area targeted last night in what the US has confirmed as an Israeli military operation in Iran:

EU imposes sanctions on four Israeli settlers

The individuals on the list are: Neria Ben Pazi , 31. According to the EU’s official journal, the reason for the listing was that Ben Pazi “established four of the most violent outposts in the West Bank in 2019”. He was “one of the main perpetrators of the forced displacement of a Bedouin community of Wadi Seeq near Ramalah. His actions “have been likened to torture”, the official journal said, including an attack on 12 October last year in which Palestinians were “severely beaten, handcuffed and photographed in their underwear” as well as “urinated on”.

Another Israeli, Yinon Levi , 32, is accused of “multiple violent acts” including storming and damaging houses of Palestinian families and setting dogs on farmers.

Also on the list is Meir Mordechai Ettinger , 33, “considered a leading figure of the Hilltop Youth, a radical youth group consisting of members known for violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank.

According to the official journal he was involved in a deadly arson attack in 2015, that killed two parents and their 18-month-old baby, for which he was detained without charge that same year.

Another member of the group, Names as Elisha Yered , born in 2001, was reported to engage in settler violence through so-called “price tag attacks” including “physical and psychosocial harassment, beatings, murder and demolition of property, against Palestinians is of a systematic nature”.

The journal says he was “part of a group of armed settlers” involved in an attack last year near Ramallah which led to the death of the 19-year-old Palestinian Qusai Jammal Mi’tan and wounded several other Palestinians”.

One of the two entities named is Lehava , which the EU’s official journal describes as a “radical right-wing Jewist supremacist group” which “uses violence and incites violence against Palestinians, Christians and Messianic Jews”. According to the journal, Lehava “organises violent protests against Jewish Muslim weddings and the LGBQTi community”.

The other entity is named as Hilltop Youth , described by the journal as “a radical group consisting of members known for violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank”.

The judgment can be read here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401172

US sanctions on entities that raised funds for West Bank settlers

The US treasury department announced today that the US is imposing sanctions on Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich – two entities that the US said helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for two violent extremists in the West Bank already targeted with US sanctions.

Mount Hebron Fund launched an online fundraising campaign that raised $140,000 for settler Yinon Levi after he was sanctioned in February for leading a group of settlers that assaulted Palestinian and Bedouin civilians, burned their fields and destroyed their property, the Treasury said.

Shlom Asiraich raised $31,000 for David Chai Chasdai , who the US said had initiated and led a riot that included setting vehicles and buildings on fire and causing damage to property in Huwara , resulting in the death of a Palestinian civilian.

“Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich generated tens of thousands of dollars for extremists responsible for destroying property, assaulting civilians, and violence against Palestinians,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. “Such acts by these organizations undermine the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank. We will continue to use our tools to hold those responsible accountable.”

The US has previously sanctioned five settlers and two unauthorized outposts in the West Bank.

At least 34,012 Palestinians have been killed and 76,833 others have been injured by Israel ’s military offensive since the 7 October, Gaza ’s health ministry said on Friday.

The Hama s-run health ministry does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

Man arrested in Paris after police cordon off Iranian consulate due to reported bomb threat

French police arrested a man who had threatened to blow himself up at Iran’s consulate in Paris , police said, Reuters reported.

A police source had told Reuters the man was seen at about 11 am (0900 GMT) entering the consulate, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest.

The man exited the consulate and was not actually carrying explosives, a police source said.

You can follow more updates from Lili Bayer in the Europe live blog here:

Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan on Friday spoke by phone to his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian at Iran ’s request to discuss regional developments, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters.

The source did not provide further details.

Blinken says conversations on Rafah at senior levels with Israel continue

Further to the comments by Blinken already reported on the blog, there are some more lines from Reuters on what the US secretary of state said on the topic of Gaza .

At a press conference on Friday after a gathering of G7 foreign ministers on the southern Italian island of Capri , Blinken told reporters “we cannot support a major military operation in Rafah”. He said conversations on Rafah , in the southern Gaza Strip , continue at senior levels with Israel .

Blinken said he believed that “Israel’s objectives can be achieved” without a Rafah offensive. He added: “We are committed to achieving a Palestinian state with necessary guarantees for Israel.”

Qatar expressed regret on Friday over the failure of the UN security council to adopt a draft resolution recognising a Palestinian state through full membership of the UN (see 08:14 BST ), according to Reuters.

The United Arab Emirates said on Friday that granting Palestinians full membership in the UNwould be “an important step to boost peace efforts in the region”, the state-run WAM news agency reported.

German airline group Lufthansa has suspended flights to Israel and Iraq until early Saturday.

Services by airlines of the group to Tel Aviv in Israel and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan were suspended until 5am GMT due to the “current situation”, a spokesperson told AFP.

Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines also decided as a “precautionary measure” to suspend flights to Jordan ’s capital Amman , as well as Erbil and Tel Aviv on Friday “to comprehensively reassess the security situation”.

“Austrian Airlines continuously monitors and assesses the security situation in the Middle East and is in close contact with the authorities,” Austrian Airlines said in a statement sent to AFP.

Both Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines had already suspended their flights to and from Tehran up until the end of the month.

“Today’s flight 151/152 to Israel from Warsaw and to Beirut 143/144 have been cancelled,” Krzysztof Moczulski told PAP, according to a Reuters report. Moczulski said decisions about future flights would be made on an ongoing basis.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken repeatedly declined to confirm a reported Israeli attack on Iran on Friday, saying Washington has not been involved in any offensive operations and it was committed to de-escalating tensions in the region, reports Reuters.

“I’m not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,” Blinken said at a news conference capping a gathering of G7 foreign ministers on the southern Italian island of Capri . According to Reuters reporters, the top US diplomat kept repeating the same response, almost verbatim, when he was asked about the issue several times at the news conference.

At a separate news conference moments before Blinken, Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said the US was “informed at the last minute” but did not elaborate (see 11:58 BST ).

Explosions echoed over the Iranian city of Isfahan in the early hours of Friday in what sources described as an Israeli attack, say Reuters, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation – a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

Israel said nothing about the incident. It had said for days it was planning to retaliate against Iran for Saturday’s strikes, the first direct attack on Israel by Iran in decades of shadow war waged by proxies which has escalated throughout the Middle East .

United Nations secretary general António Guterres said on Friday that “it is high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

“The secretary general condemns any act of retaliation and appeals to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond,” Stéphane Dujarric said, accroding to Reuters.

Iran has been trying to reassure people that the country did not face a major threat after airstrikes were carried out in the Isfahan province on Friday.

A news anchor said everything was “back to normal” in a report aired on Press TV, the Iranian state broadcaster’s English-language outlet.

In another clip, said to be filmed in Isfahan and published by Iranian media, an unidentified person is heard saying there had been no damage to the area.

Officials in Washington said Israeli forces were carrying out military operations against Iran but did not describe the character or scale of those operations. Israel and Iran are yet to confirm the source of the strikes.

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